THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


IN  MEMORY  OF 
MRS.  VIRGINIA  B.  SPORER 


THE  TORCH- BEARERS  OF 
BOHEMIA 


THE  TORCH-BEARERS 
OF  BOHEMIA 


BY 
V.  I.  KRYSHANOVSKAYA 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  RUSSIAN 
BY 

JULIET  M.  SOSKICE 


NEW  YORK 

ROBERT  M.  McBRIDE  &  COMPANY 
1917 


Copyright,    1917,    by 
ROBEKT  M.  McBaiDK  &  Co. 


Published  January,  1917 


NOTE 

THIS  story,  which  has  been  awarded  Honorable  Mention 
by  the  Imperial  Academy  of  Science  of  Petrograd,  is  the 
work  of  a  living  writer ;  but  its  scene  is  laid  in  past  times, 
in  the  days  of  John  Hus  and  his  contemporaries.  Al- 
though it  is  full  of  exciting  incident  as  a  story,  "The 
Torchbearers  of  Bohemia"  seeks  also  to  give  a  picture  of 
the  life  of  Bohemia  at  the  beginning  of  the  Fifteenth  Cen- 
tury, and  to  show  the  intense  hatred,  which  persists  to 
this  day,  of  the  Czechs  (or  Bohemians,  as  they  are  called 
throughout)  for  their  Teutonic  oppressors.  In  such 
high-colored  passages  as  those  connected  with  the  trial 
of  Hus,  or  the  revolt  in  Prague  upon  the  death  of  King 
Venceslas,  the  author  is  so  clearly  combining  her  vivid 
sense  of  historical  color  with  intense  sympathy  for  the 
Hussite  cause,  that  this  personal  conviction  unquestion- 
ably adds  to  the  "immediacy"  of  the  passionate  scenes, 
and  brings  them  leaping  to  the  eye.  Hus,  to  the  writer, 
is  the  hero  of  the  book,  in  spite  of  all  the  heroic  virtues 
of  Jerome  and  Vok;  while  the  villain  is  not  so  much 
Brancaccio  as  the  whole  assembly  of  the  clerical  abuses 
against  which  Hus  thundered  his  denunciations.  Wick- 
edness in  plenty  is  here  of  a  personal  and  quite  privately 
terrible  kind ;  but  then  so  is  one  lurid  aspect  of  the  his- 
tory of  a  fierce  religious  conflict.  And  so  moved  has  the 
author  been  by  the  tragic  figure  of  Hus,  and  by  the  con- 


2047065 


NOTE 

sciousness  of  the  loyalty  he  inspired  in  his  followers,  that 
she  has  shown  these  things  wonderfully  set  among  the 
baser  and  more  violent  happenings  of  those  days.  The 
story  consists  of  many  stories:  but  they  are  all  unified 
and  made  significant  for  us  in  virtue  of  the  dominating 
personality  of  Hus. 


THE  TORCH- BEARERS  OF 
BOHEMIA 


THE  TORCH-BEARERS 
OF  BOHEMIA 


PAET  I 


ON  a  beautiful  summer's  day  in  the  year  1401  a  large 
company  on  horseback  was  proceeding  through  the  nar- 
row, winding  streets  of  Pilsen.  At  its  head  rode  a  man 
of  about  thirty-five,  slight,  but  well-built,  with  an  ex- 
ceedingly dark  complexion  of  the  pronounced  Italian 
type.  The  undeniable  beauty  of  his  face  was  marred  by 
a  smile  of  sugary  beatitude  which  was  not  in  harmony 
with  it ;  his  cunning  black  eyes  also  produced  a  disagree- 
able impression:  there  was  a  hint  of  something  cruel 
lurking  in  their  depths.  He  wore  a  splendid  suit  of  black 
velvet,  with  a  light  steel  breastplate,  while  his  head  was 
adorned  by  a  cap  with  feathers,  which  sat  jauntily  upon 
his  jet-black  curls.  Into  his  belt  was  thrust  a  dagger 
with  an  embossed  handle,  while  a  sword  of  imposing  size 
hung  at  his  side.  In  sharp  contrast  with  this  worldly 
and  warrior-like  attire  was  the  big  cross  which  hung 

1 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

from  a  golden  chain  upon  his  breast,  and  the  episcopal 
ring  which  he  wore  upon  one  finger  outside  his  deerskin 
glove.  This  Bishop  bravely  bestrode  a  magnificent  black 
charger,  and  blessed  the  passers-by  as  he  went.  His 
helmet,  shield,  lance,  and  other  pieces  of  armor  were 
carried  behind  him  by  four  pages ;  then  followed  an  im- 
posing retinue;  while  several  heavily-laden  mules  com- 
pleted the  procession. 

The  Bishop  stopped  before  a  house  situated  not  far 
from  the  town  walls.  It  was  a  large  house,  with  a  high, 
pointed  roof,  ornamented  with  wooden  carvings.  It  had 
been  built  by  a  barrel-maker  grown  rich,  and  at  one  time 
it  had  in  no  way  differed  from  the  houses  of  other 
burghers.  But  Lord  Ginek  Waldstein,  who  had  bought 
the  house,  had  added  to  it  several  crenelated  turrets,  and 
surrounded  it  by  a  thick  wall,  so  that  the  modest,  peace- 
ful-looking tradesman's  house  had  acquired  the  aspect  of 
a  fortified  castle. 

The  Bishop  was  evidently  expected,  for  his  foot-boy 
had  scarcely  knocked  at  the  wicket  before  the  gates  in 
the  wall  were  flung  open,  and  an  old  serving-man  ran  to 
meet  him.  This  man  quickly  helped  the  Bishop  to  alight 
from  his  horse,  and  informed  him  that  the  Count  was 
absent;  but  he  added  that  the  Countess  was  awaiting 
Bishop  Brancaccio,  and  had  directed  that  His  Eminence 
be  straightway  conducted  to  her. 

At  the  head  of  the  staircase  the  Countess  herself  cour- 
teously and  respectfully  greeted  her  illustrious  guest  and 
inquired  concerning  his  health. 
2 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

' '  I  am  well,  praise  God.  Nevertheless,  my  fair  cousin, 
I  would  ask  shelter  of  you  for  some  days.  The  long  jour- 
ney on  horseback  has  caused  the  old  wound  I  received  in 
my  youth  to  trouble  me ;  and  I  should  like  to  rest. ' ' 

' '  My  whole  house  is  at  the  disposal  of  Your  Eminence. 
You  will  pardon  us  if  we  cannot  afford  you  sufficient 
ease. ' ' 

"Why,  verily,  a  poor  monk  requires  but  little!  One 
thing  I  would  beg — that  my  page  Richiotto  be  accom- 
modated near  me.  I  often  need  his  services,  and  there- 
fore must  have  him  close  at  hand. ' ' 

An  hour  later,  thoroughly  refreshed  by  a  hearty  sup- 
per, the  Bishop  was  sitting  alone  with  his  cousin,  in  her 
chamber,  far  remote  from  indiscreet  ears. 

The  Countess  Waldstein  was  a  tall,  fair,  thin  woman, 
just  under  forty.  Her  face,  with  its  aquiline  nose  and 
wide,  thin-lipped  mouth,  was  not  attractive.  Even  her 
beautifully-shaped,  large,  black  eyes  were  no  ornament  to 
her,  on  account  of  their  cunning  and  evil  expression. 
The  meekness  she  affected  was  at  variance  with  the 
haughtiness  which  was  perceptible  in  her,  and  which  evi- 
dently lay  at  the  root  of  her  character.  Countess  Jan 
was  a  relation  of  Bishop  Brancaccio's  on  her  mother's 
side,  and  there  were  evidences  of  her  Italian  blood  in  her 
almost  fanatical  bigotry,  and  in  the  duplicity  of  her 
nature. 

She  watched  her  guest  with  uncontrollable  impatience, 
but  he  did  not  appear  to  notice  her  anxiety,  and  con- 

3 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

tinued  indifferently  to  finger  the  chain  which  hung  about 
his  neck,  and  to  clank  the  spurs  which  he  had  not  yet  re- 
moved. At  length  she  could  contain  herself  no  longer, 
and,  bending  toward  the  Bishop,  she  said,  in  a  low  voice, 
speaking  in  Italian : 

"Well,  Cousin  Thomasso,  what  news  have  you  brought 
me?" 

The  Bishop  sat  up  straight  in  his  chair. 

"Bad  news,  Madonna  Giovanna.  My  mission  hath 
failed  completely." 

"The  Baron  would  consent  to  nothing?"  murmured 
the  Countess,  turning  pale. 

' '  To  scarcely  anything.  I  will  relate  to  you  fully  my 
conversation  with  Baron  Rabstein.  First  of  all,  of 
course,  I  informed  him  of  your  proposal  concerning  the 
marriage  of  your  son  with  his  daughter  Rugena.  That 
he  positively  refused,  saying  that  the  child  was  already 
affianced  to  the  son  of  Heinrich  von  Rosenberg,  and  that 
their  betrothal  would  take  place  in  a  few  days.  Besides 
that,  the  young  Count  would  not  be  acceptable  to  him  as 
a  son-in-law,  being  light-minded  and  insolent — in  a  word, 
as  little  agreeable  to  him  as  your  husband,  whose  relig- 
ious and  political  convictions  Count  Rabstein  does  not 
share.  'Instead  of  upholding  the  party  of  the  great 
barons  who  seek  to  protect  their  rights,'  he  said,  'Ginek 
injures  us  in  whatever  way  he  can,  and  cleaves  to  Ven- 
ceslas,  having  nearly  prevented  his  capture  at  Beroun. ' ' 

Brancaccio  stopped,  observing  the  Countess's  agita- 
tion, and  the  red  spots  which  had  dawned  in  her  cheeks. 
4 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Forgive  me,  cousin,"  he  said,  "for  repeating  such 
discourteous  remarks  to  you,  but  methinks,  that  the  posi- 
tion of  affairs  should  finally  be  made  clear. ' ' 

"Of  course,  of  course,  go  on,"  she  whispered,  nerv- 
ously plucking  with  her  long,  bony  fingers  at  the  black- 
and-gold  cords  which  encircled  her  waist. 

"Well  then,  setting  aside  the  question  of  marriage. 
...  I  told  the  Baron  of  your  financial  difficulties  arising 
from  the  troubled  conditions  of  the  times;  and  in  the 
name  of  your  close  relationship  begged  him  to  assist  you. 
In  this  he  proved  more  amenable,  although  he  declared 
that  it  would  be  for  the  last  time,  as  he  had  already  re- 
peatedly come  to  the  aid  of  his  cousin.  He  promised  to 
redeem  your  debt  to  that  impudent  burgher  of  Prague 
who  persecutes  you.  That,  of  course,  is  a  valuable  con- 
cession, but  .  .  .  you  yourself  understand  that  it  is  not 
enough  to  put  you  on  your  feet." 

"But,  in  that  case  .  .  .  what  is  to  be  done?"  the 
Countess  whispered  irresolutely,  gazing  beseechingly  at 
him. 

A  cunning,  searching  glance  flashed  upon  her  for  an 
instant  from  beneath  the  Bishop's  drooping  lids. 

"It  seems  to  me  ...  the  only  thing  is  to  ...  revert 
to  the  plan  we  had  considered  before  I  went  to  the 
Baron,"  he  answered  thickly. 

The  Countess  breathed  heavily  as  though  she  lacked 
air.  Her  hand  trembled  so  violently  that  the  handker- 
chief with  which  she  had  been  convulsively  wiping  her 
forehead  nearly  dropped  from  her  fingers. 

5 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"That  only  way  of  which  you  speak  is  horrible,"  she 
muttered  in  a  shaking  voice.  "But  I  must  sacrifice  my- 
self to  assure  the  future  of  my  son, ' '  she  added  suppress- 
ing with  a  violent  effort  the  agitation  which  had  seized 
her. 

"I  understand  your  hesitation,  and  esteem  the  pious 
apprehensions  that  harass  your  Christian  heart,  although 
you  are  prompted  by  maternal  love  alone,"  remarked 
the  Bishop ;  and,  raising  his  eyes  to  Heaven,  he  continued, 
"Yet  assuredly  the  forgiveness  of  God  extends  to  every 
sin.  Have  you  forgotten  that  our  holy  Mother  Church 
doth  welcome  the  sinner,  even  as  the  father  his  prodigal 
son,  and  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  substitute 
and  earthly  representative  of  Christ  enfoldeth  him  anew 
in  the  cloak  of  innocence?" 

Bright  color  rushed  into  the  pale  face  of  the  Countess ; 
and  a  joyful  light  glowed  in  her  eyes. 

"  Is  it  possible  ? ' '  she  cried,  piously  clasping  her  hands. 
"Will  you  secure  from  the  Holy  Father  absolution  for 
the  sin  I  am  impelled  to  commit  out  of  love  for  my  fam- 
ily?" 

"Yes,  my  spiritual  daughter  and  sister!  It  lies  in 
your  power  to  procure  at  once  that  inestimable  blessing. 
My  uncle,  Cardinal  Cossa,  hath  provided  me  with  sev- 
eral indulgences,  and  he  permits  me  to  dispose  of  them 
at  my  own  discretion.  But  you  know  that  absolution  for 
such  a  sin  as  that  which  you  are  preparing  to  commit 
costs  dear.  Heaven  demands  a  generous  reward  for  its 
clemency.  ..." 
6 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  know,  I  know!  But  what  matter?  Such  a  benefit 
is  priceless,"  she  answered  joyfully.  "I  will  beg  of  you 
a  complete  indulgence  for  myself,  my  husband  and  son, 
and  pay  for  it  as  much  as  you  wish.  I  would  also  be- 
seech Your  Eminence  to  grant  me  a  partial  indulgence 
besides,  and  to  allow  me  to  place  a  certain  sum  for  the 
poor  at  your  disposal. ' ' 

A  pleasant  smile  played  upon  the  Bishop's  face. 

"I  fully  consent,  Cousin  Giovanna.  And  if  the 
Heavens  prove  as  generous  to  you  as  you  to  them  there 
will  surely  be  a  special  place  set  aside  for  you  in  Para- 
dise. To  return,  however,  to  the  matter  we  have  in  hand. 
There  is  no  time  to  be  lost !  I  have  not  told  you  yet  that 
I  arrived  here  in  company  with  Baron  von  Rabstein,  who 
is  journeying  to  Prague  on  certain  of  his  affairs.  "We 
separated  at  the  entrance  to  the  town.  I  rode  here,  and 
he  to  the  hostel  of  the  'Golden  Calf.'  "We  must  make 
haste,  for  Rabstein  proceeds  further  at  dawn. ' ' 

"Now  that  my  conscience  is  at  rest  our  project  shall 
not  fail  for  lack  of  energy.  Heaven  itself,  it  seems, 
favors  us,  and  hath  caused  the  Baron  to  delay  his  jour- 
ney at  the  'Golden  Calf.'  The  serving  woman  at  the  inn 
is  a  ...  penitent  .  .  .  and  a  good  friend  of  my  con- 
fessor, Father  Ilarius.  She  is  blindly  obedient  to  him. 
She  will  serve  the  Baron  a  meal  according  to  his  deserts. 
But  are  you  sure  that  the  means  you  have  provided  will 
act  as  we  desire?" 

"Have  no  fear  as  to  that.  My  methods  are  sure. 
And  in  the  meantime  warn  Father  Ilarius  not  to  leave 

7 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  house,  but  to  await  my  treasurer,  Father  Bonaven- 
tura,  who  will  give  him  the  medicine,  and  the  necessary 
instructions."  Bending  toward  the  Countess,  he  whis- 
pered : 

"Rest  assured.  If  he  leaves  the  town  to-morrow  he 
will  fall  ill  upon  the  road,  and  that  will  be  still  more 
opportune;  for  then  they  will  apply  to  us  for  medical 
help,  and  I  shall  take  him  under  my  own  care.  Every- 
thing will  be  for  the  best. ' ' 

The  Countess  rose  hastily,  but  Brancaccio  checked  her. 

"Stay.  Have  you  said  anything  to  the  Count  about 
our  plan?" 

"No.  Ginek  might  oppose  it,  or  he  might  simply  be- 
tray us  at  one  of  the  King's  banquets  where  they  always 
drink  so  much,"  answered  the  Countess,  with  some  con- 
fusion. 

"Excellent!  Wisdom  is  not  always  drawn  with  wine. 
Your  discretion  does  you  honor,  Countess,"  remarked  the 
prelate  with  a  light  laugh.  "And  when  will  your  hus- 
band return  ? ' ' 

"He  went  on  some  urgent  business,  and  will  not  re- 
turn before  the  day  after  to-morrow." 

' '  Better  still.  We  will  set  him  aside,  and  leave  him  to 
peacefully  enjoy  the  role  of  guardian  of  the  beauteous 
Rugena." 

Blessing  the  Countess,  who  reverently  kissed  his  hand, 
the  Bishop  departed  to  the  rooms  prepared  for  him,  and 
soon  after  sent  for  the  father  treasurer.  Later,  after  a 
short  conversation,  Bonaventura,  a  small  Italian  monk 
8 


THE     TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

with  a  foxlike  face,  hastily  left  the  room  and  went  in 
search  of  the  Countess's  confessor,  Father  Ilarius. 

Remaining  alone,  Brancaccio  for  a  long  time  paced 
thoughtfully  about  the  room.  Then,  sitting  down  at  a 
table,  he  began  casting  up  accounts.  Evidently  he  was 
pleased  with  the  result,  for  with  an  air  of  satisfaction  he 
shut  his  note  book  and  closed  it  in  his  cash-box.  Then 
he  called : 

"Richiotto!" 

A  page  entered,  tastefully  attired  in  a  suit  of  violet- 
colored  velvet,  with  the  Bishop's  coat-of-arms  embroid- 
ered on  the  breast.  He  was  a  beautiful  youth,  with  a 
smooth,  pale  face,  long  black  curls  floating  upon  his 
shoulders,  and  burning  black  eyes.  His  figure  was  well- 
built,  but  slim  and  graceful,  like  that  of  a  woman. 

"Tell  my  people  that  I  shall  have  no  further  need  of 
them  to-night  and  that  they  may  go  to  rest.  Then  come 
back  and  undress  me. ' ' 

Richiotto  went  out,  but  soon  returned  again.  He  un- 
dressed his  master  and  handed  him  a  wide,  silken  cloak ; 
then  placed  wine  and  two  goblets  upon  the  table.  At 
last,  having  carefully  barred  the  door,  he  stood  in  front 
of  Brancaccio,  arms  akimbo,  and  said  saucily : 

"So,  our  official  service  is  at  an  end.  "What  now, 
Thomasso?" 

"Yes,  little  devil,  now  my  time  begins,"  answered  the 
other,  and,  drawing  the  page  on  to  his  knee,  began  to  kiss 
him  tenderly. 

9 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

Filling  a  goblet  of  wine  he  held  it  to  the  page's  lips 
for  him  to  sip,  and  fed  him  with  the  sweetmeats  lying 
upon  the  silver  tray.  Under  the  influence  of  the  drink 
the  beautiful  page  grew  more  and  more  merry  and  gar- 
rulous: obscene  jests  and  witticisms  poured  freely  from 
his  lips,  and  the  Bishop  did  not  lag  behind.  This  orgy 
of  two,  behind  barred  doors,  was  evidently  to  his  taste, 
and  he  enjoyed  it,  being  raised  to^the  highest  pitch  of 
rapture  by  the  mad  tarantella  which  the  so-called  Richi- 
otto  danced  before  him  in  the  guise  of  a  heathen  goddess. 
Only  some  lingering  threads  of  caution  prevented  the 
Bishop  from  accompanying  the  dance  with  a  disgusting 
Neapolitan  song. 

It  was  already  late  when  the  saintly  Bishop  and  his 
"faithful  page"  retired  to  their  several  rooms,  and  then 
they  only  parted  because  of  a  quarrel.  Wine  and  love 
had  inspired  audacity. 

"What  mischief  art  thou  brewing  with  Father  Bona- 
ventura?  I'll  wager  thou  art  opening  the  gates  of 
Heaven  for  somebody  again. ' ' 

"I  would  counsel  thee,  my  daughter,"  snarled  the 
Bishop,  suddenly  sobered,  "to  look,  listen,  and  judge 
only  in  matters  which  concern  mine  own  service,  secret 
or  open.  Take  care  that  the  doors  of  Heaven  are  not 
opened  for  thee  too.  Any  wayside  convent  would  take 
charge  of  Marguerita  Angelli,  the  runaway  nun ! "  .  .  . 

Marguerita  Angelli  grew  angry.    Dealing  her  spiritual 
father  a  sound  thump  upon  the  back,  she  fled  into  her 
room. 
10 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Next  day  the  Countess  and  the  Bishop  were  still  sit- 
ting at  dinner,  which,  according  to  the  custom  of  that 
time,  was  served  at  midday,  when  Richiotto  announced 
that  one  of  his  people  had  brought  to  him  a  squire,  sent 
to  ask  medical  aid  for  Baron  Rabstein.  The  Baron,  it 
seemed,  had  fallen  ill  upon  the  road,  and  was  lying  at  an 
inn,  at  about  three  hours'  journey  from  the  town. 

The  Bishop,  surprised  and  grieved  at  the  news  of 
Baron  von  Rabstein 's  illness,  summoned  the  squire.  He 
then  questioned  him  closely,  and  said  that  not  only  would 
he  immediately  send  his  doctor,  but  would  come  himself 
to  examine  the  invalid,  and  superintend  his  removal  to 
the  town. 

The  Countess  also  took  a  hearty  share  in  the  proceed- 
ings. She  melted  in  praise  of  the  Christian  love  and 
magnanimity  of  the  Bishop,  who,  forgetting  his  own 
fatigue  and  the  suffering  caused  by  his  wound,  was  ready 
to  hasten  to  the  sick  bed  to  sustain  the  invalid  by  faith 
and  science. 

' '  I  have  a  comfortable  litter  which  I  will  place  at  the 
sick  man 's  disposal, ' '  she  added  at  the  conclusion  of  her 
speech.  "And  I  gladly  offer  him  hospitality  in  the  name 
of  my  husband,  who  I  am  sure  would  have  acted  in  the 
same  manner. ' ' 

"I  recognize  your  heart  of  gold  in  this  generous  offer, 
dear  cousin,"  said  the  Bishop ;  "and  I  am  sure  the  Baron 
will  accept  your  hospitality  most  gratefully."  As  he 
spoke  he  prepared  for  immediate  departure  upon  his 
own  pious  errand. 

11 


II 

A  MILD,  clear  summer's  evening  was  falling.  The  radi- 
ant sun  was  setting,  gilding  every  object  with  its  fiery 
rays.  Two  horsemen  were  jogging  along  the  road  to 
Pilsen. 

One  of  these  was  a  priest,  dressed  in  a  black  cassock 
with  wide  sleeves,  and  wearing  a  cloth  cap.  His  thin, 
pale  face,  with  its  sharp-pointed  beard,  was  exceedingly 
attractive.  His  forehead  was  broad,  his  lips  firmly 
molded.  His  large,  thoughtful  eyes  looked  benignant, 
but  seemed  as  though  they  were  clouded  by  some  hidden 
sorrow.  They  betokened  the  thinker  and  idealist,  an  up- 
right, honest  soul,  which  suffers  no  tinkering  with  con- 
science, though  capable  of  boundless  enthusiasm  in  the 
cause  of  faith,  love,  and  truth.  Great,  though  uncon- 
scious, simplicity  was  expressed  in  his  every  action. 

His  companion  was  an  extremely  handsome  young 
man,  tall,  straight,  remarkably  well  made,  with  hair  as 
black  as  the  raven's  wing.  His  large  dark  eyes  shone 
with  intelligence  and  strength  of  will.  He  was  in  secular 
garb — a  modish  suit  of  fine  brown  cloth.  A  broad  black 
cloak  hung  from  his  shoulders,  a  sword  with  a  steel 
handle  was  perceptible  at  his  side,  while  a  dagger  was 
thrust  into  the  front  of  his  belt.  He  led  by  the  bridle  a 
horse  loaded  with  baggage,  and  to  the  saddle  of  each 
12 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

rider  was  attached  a  traveling-case.  They  were  con- 
versing animatedly. 

"So  there  thou  hast,  in  brief,  the  principal  events  of 
my  stay  in  Oxford,"  the  young  man  was  saying. 
"When  we  are  in  Prague  I  will  tell  thee  much  that  is  in- 
teresting in  our  spare  moments,  Master  John ;  but  now  I 
am  beside  myself  with  joy  at  having  met  thee  on  the 
high-road  so  unexpectedly.  And  indeed  thou  hast  not 
yet  told  me  whence  thou  hast  come,  and  whither  thou 
art  proceeding. ' ' 

"I  have  been  to  Husenic  on  a  family  matter,  to  ar- 
range an  affair  of  inheritance  for  my  cousin,  Katherine. 
From  thence  I  went  to  visit  some  friends  and  to  preach 
the  word  of  God  to  some  poor  folk  to  whom  their  pas- 
tors bring  no  joy.  Lord  God,  what  infamies  I  chanced 
upon !  In  truth  one  sometimes  involuntarily  asks  one 's 
self  if  the  time  of  Antichrist  has  not  already  come !  But 
witnessing  the  profound  faith  of  these  poor  people,  and 
the  fervent  joy  with  which  they  listen  to  a  sermon  in 
their  native  tongue,  the  hope  of  some  better  time  blos- 
somed in  my  heart,  and  with  tears  I  besought  God  to  re- 
store peace  to  the  Church  and  to  regenerate  her." 

"And  every  truly  Christian  heart  will  say  'Amen'  to 
such  a  prayer.  Let  us  hope  that  God  in  His  mercy  will 
not  forget  his  faithful  Bohemian  people,  and  will  free 
them  from  the  German  locusts  who  plunder,  oppress  and 
deprave  them.  From  whom,  if  not  from  them,  comes  all 
this  evil,  all  the  misfortunes  and  the  dissensions  1 ' ' 

"Grow  not  heated,  Jerome.  It  is  certain  that  these 

13 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

foreigners  inflict  many  evils  upon  us;  but  we  also  have 
deserved  chastisement  for  our  sins. ' ' 

"Could  there  be  any  punishment  greater  than  the 
presence  of  these  sharpers  ? ' '  cried  Jerome  angrily.  ' '  Is 
there  any  limit  to  their  insolence  and  greed  ?  When  they 
are  beaten  on  the  battlefield  they  return  in  the  guise  of 
colonists.  They  gather  all  the  land,  all  the  offices  and 
privileges  into  their  hands.  They  work  their  will  in  the 
university,  and  sooner  or  later  they'll  drive  us  from  it 
altogether,  if  a  check  be  not  put  upon  them  in  time.  We 
Bohemians  are  strangers  in  our  fatherland!  We  work, 
and  they  direct !  We  sow,  and  they  reap !  They  would 
deprive  us  of  our  language,  even!" 

At  these  words  the  face  of  the  priest  flushed  slightly. 
He  drew  his  brows  together  and  his  clear  eyes  expressed 
discontent. 

"Thou  speakest  truly,  Jerome,  and  all  this  is  mortify- 
ing. Though  it  is  sinful,  one  is  often  indignant  at  the 
injuries  done  to  our  people  in  the  university  alone. 
Strife  between  the  professors,  and  disputes  between  the 
German  and  Bohemian  students  have  become  customary ; 
and  the  rector  is  always  on  the  side  of  his  Germans. ' ' 

They  were  silent,  both  absorbed  in  thoughts  of  their 
unhappy  people.  For  at  the  end  of  the  Fourteenth  Cen- 
tury most  of  the  Bohemian  towns  were  in  the  hands  of 
German  burghers  who  had  grown  fat  and  rich  at  the 
direct  expense  of  the  native  inhabitants,  thanks  to  the 
many  privileges  by  which  the  kings  of  Bohemia  had 
sought  to  attract  them  to  the  country.  Recently,  how- 
14 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

ever,  there  had  occurred  certain  changes  which  were  not 
to  the  advantage  of  the  Germans.  The  Bohemian  town 
populations  had  grown  considerably,  many  Bohemian 
nobles  had  built  or  purchased  houses  for  themselves  in 
the  towns,  and  a  rivalry  had  sprung  up  between  the  two 
races  which  increased  with  passing  years. 

The  handsome  rider  whom  his  companion  had  called 
Jerome  was  the  first  to  speak  again. 

"Shall  we  not  find  some  inn  upon  this  road,  Master 
John?  We  have  ridden  a  goodly  stretch,  and  I  am  be- 
ginning to  feel  the  need  of  food  and  rest.  It  seems  to  me 
that  I  remember  an  inn  not  far  away  from  here. ' ' 

"Some  drunken  soldiers  set  fire  to  it  last  year,  and  it 
was  burnt  to  ashes.  No,  it  is  far  to  an  inn.  But  there  is 
a  village  close  at  hand,  and  we  can  find  shelter  in  the 
house  of  the  priest,  who  has  been  away  for  a  year,  accord- 
ing to  the  woman  left  in  charge  of  the  house.  There  we 
can  take  our  rest." 

"And  whither  has  this  pious  shepherd  of  the  Church 
gone  a-roving  ? ' '  asked  Jerome,  laughing. 

"Why,  he  has  two  parishes,  and  when  he  is  not  in  one 
he  represents  himself  to  be  in  the  other,  so  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  verify  his  words.  Though  he  is  remarkably  punc- 
tual in  the  gathering  of  his  tithes,  they  say. ' ' 

"Ah,  he  is  sure  to  be  exacting  at  that  harvest,  espe- 
cially if  he  is  a  German." 

"I  don't  know  what  he  is.  It  seems  he  was  the  young- 
est of  his  family  and  was  ordained  a  priest  when  scarce 
seven  years  of  age." 

15 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"If  his  parents  were  provident,  it  probably  cost  them 
dear.  The  bishop 's  charge  for  a  parish  is  considerable — 
he  has  to  pay  for  his  own  place.  In  truth,  all  priests 
share  with  Rome — that  is,  I  should  say,  with  the  Pope,  or 
better  still,  the  popes.  That  may  serve  as  some  excuse 
for  the  parish  priests. ' ' 

"Yes,  simony  like  leprosy  is  gnawing  at  the  Church." 

"The  Archbishop  of  Prague,  for  instance,  with  his 
herald,  his  chamberlain,  his  chancellor,  his  marshal,  his 
treasurer,  and  whatnot,  who  has  three  thousand  marks  of 
income — not  counting  the  poll-tax,  the  fruits  of  forced 
labor,  the  sale  of  benefices  and  absolutions,  and  other 
profits.  He  little  resembles  his  Heavenly  Teacher,"  re- 
marked Jerome,  and  suddenly  burst  into  laughter. 

"Why  dost  thou  laugh?  Can  the  mournful  subjects 
of  our  conversation  lead  to  mirth?" 

"Pardon  my  laughter,  it  was  involuntary,  dear  Master 
'John.  I  suddenly  remembered  the  ridiculous  story  of 
Nicholas  Poukhnika,  the  worthy  Canon  of  Prague,  of 
Tchernina,  and  Olumutzka,  Prior  of  SS.  Nicholas  and 
Jemnitza  of  Moravia,  famed  for  his  niggardliness." 

A  smile  appeared  also  upon  the  face  of  the  priest. 

"Ah,  yes !  The  King  jokingly  said  he  might  take  away 
with  him  from  the  palace  as  much  money  as  he  could 
carry,  and  Nicholas  so  loaded  his  pockets  and  boots  that 
lie  was  unable  to  move.  A  sad  and  absurd  incident!" 

"But  the  best  part  of  the  story  was  the  end,  when  the 
King,  breaking  into  a  mad  fit  of  laughter,  ordered  that  all 
the  gold  should  be  taken  from  him,  and  he  himself  driven 
16 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

away.  The  King  is  sometimes  seized  with  such  stupen- 
dous ideas,  and  in  truth  I  love  him.  Notwithstanding  his 
weakness  he  is  well-disposed  towards  the  Bohemians. 
But  look,  it  seems  we  have  arrived.  There  on  the  right 
are  some  miserable  hovels.  That  must  be  the  village  of 
which  thou  didst  speak;  and,  on  the  road  next  to  the 
church,  I  can  see  a  stone  building.  That  must  be  the 
priest 's  dwelling. ' ' 

"Yes,  yes,"  said  his  companion,  turning  into  a  path- 
way that  led  to  the  village. 

A  high,  solid  stone  wall  surrounded  the  house.  The 
gate  was  wide  open,  and  in  the  courtyard,  attached  to  a 
trough  filled  with  hay,  were  twenty  saddle-horses.  Sev- 
eral packs  of  hounds  lay  around,  and  in  a  covered  wagon 
could  be  seen  a  couple  of  dead  stags  and  a  boar. 

"Some  hunting-party  has  reached  the  house  before  us. 
Thou  seest  the  window  is  lighted,  and,  judging  from  the 
noise,  the  feast  must  be  at  its  height.  We  must  turn 
back,"  said  Hus,  not  without  some  regret. 

"Indeed  we  will  not!  Where  there  is  enough  for 
twenty  there  is  enough  for  two,  and  I  am  faint  with 
hunger.  Descend,  Father  John,  and  let  us  ask  the  hunt- 
ers to  entertain  us.  They  must  be  some  nobles  of  these 
parts, ' '  said  Jerome,  nimbly  springing  from  his  horse. 

The  priest  alighted  also,  and  tethering  their  horses  they 
went  towards  the  house,  from  which  there  issued  a  con- 
fused clamor  of  voices,  laughter,  and  singing. 

Just  as  they  were  ascending  the  stone  steps  the  door 
was  flung  suddenly  open.  Upon  the  threshold  appeared 

17 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

a  corpulent  monk  with  a  lantern  in  his  hand.  He  had  a 
greasy-red  face  and  round  blinking  eyes.  Beneath  his 
dark  cassock,  which  was  tucked  up  inside  the  rope  serv- 
ing him  as  a  girdle,  were  seen  his  swollen  feet  in  sandals 
to  which  big  spurs  were  fastened  with  straps. 

He  was  evidently  drunk,  and  swayed  backwards  and 
forwards,  supporting  himself  by  the  door-post  to  keep 
from  falling.  The  lantern  in  his  hand  dangled  from  side 
to  side.  Wine  had  been  spilt  over  his  cassock,  and  there 
were  spots  of  grease  upon  it. 

"See,  here,  the  Lord  has  sent  more  guests  to  us — a 
brother,  even,"  he  drawled  with  a  faltering  voice,  and 
broke  into  tipsy  laughter.  "Salve,  salve!  Enter,  my 
Father,  and  you,  honored  guest.  There  is  room  for  all, 
and  we  will  find  something  to  eat  for  our  friends." 

He  lurched  aside  to  let  them  enter,  and  our  two  trav- 
elers, with  irrepressible  disgust,  stepped  into  the  passage 
which  led  into  a  large  room. 

In  the  doorway  they  stopped  short,  astounded.  In  the 
center  of  the  room  was  a  large  table,  spread  with  wine 
and  eatables.  By  then  the  guests  had  finished  eating. 
They  had  pushed  plates  and  dishes  to  the  end  of  the 
table,  and  were  playing  at  dice.  Little  piles  of  gold, 
silver,  and  copper  coins  were  scattered  about. 

It  was  an  amazing  assembly.  There  were  monks  and, 
apparently,  priests — judging  from  their  tonsures  which 
alone  suggested  a  spiritual  calling — a  few  knights,  and 
several  women.  Among  the  latter  were  three  nuns,  whose 
disordered  dress  and  wanton  attitudes  betrayed  how  low 
18 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

they  had  fallen.  At  the  middle  of  the  table  was  sitting 
a  man,  still  young,  not  more  than  thirty-five,  but  com- 
pletely bald.  His  worn  and  wrinkled  face  spoke  of  a 
wild,  dissolute  life.  On  his  knees  lolled  a  gipsy  in  a 
many-colored  petticoat,  with  bare  arms  and  a  mane  of 
black  hair  hanging  about  her  shoulders. 

At  that  very  moment  she  had  raised  the  horn  and  was 
casting  the  dice  upon  the  table  with  a  loud  laugh.  At  the 
appearance  of  the  'strangers  the  uproar  in  the  room  sud- 
denly died  away. 

"Look,  Berthold  is  bringing  us  reenf orcements !  A 
doughty  warrior,  and  one  of  our  own  fraternity — a  rake, 
like  us ! "  cried  the  man  sitting  at  the  middle  of  the  table. 
"Ditrich  von  Stern,  the  master  of  these  premises,  the 
pious  shepherd  of  this  miserable  parish,  invites  you  to  his 
modest  repast.  Thou,  my  worthy  knight,  mayest  dispose 
of  thyself  as  it  best  please  thee.  Thou,  brother  of  the 
cassock,  shalt  sit  there,  near  Zdenko,  who  speedily  will 
disappear  beneath  the  table  and  leave  thee  as  a  heritage 
our  beauteous  sister  Bertha. ' ' 

Jerome  was  silent,  apprehensively  smoothing  his  black 
beard.  The  pale  face  of  Hus  turned  livid.  His  eyes 
blazed  with  wrath.  Striding  to  the  table  he  struck  it 
with  his  fist,  a  blow  which  made  the  crockery  rattle. 

"Miscreant!  befouling  the  priestly  vestments  thou 
wearest!"  he  shouted  vehemently.  "Art  thou  not 
ashamed  of  thine  obscenities?  Art  thou  not  ashamed  to 
hold  that  harlot  on  thy  knees,  to  surround  thyself  with 
all  this  bestial  rabble?  Reflect,  thou  betrayer  of  the 

19 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

priestly  vow !  Thou  dost  wallow  in  thy  drunkenness  like 
the  vilest  soldier ;  thou  dost  turn  thy  dwelling  into  a  tav- 
ern, into  a  den  of  infamy ! ' ' 

Ditrich  von  Stern  listened  to  this  harsh  and  unex- 
pected harangue,  gazing  blankly  at  the  speaker,  his  mouth 
wide-open  with  astonishment.  But  his  petrification  sud- 
denly changed  into  an  outburst  of  fury. 

"Ha!  dost  thou  venture  to  speak  so  to  me,  thou  scurvy 
street-babbler?  I'll  teach  thee  to  affront  me  in  mine  own 
house!"  he  roared,  trying  to  rise,  and  pushing  away  the 
gipsy,  who,  with  a  shriek,  slipped  down  upon  the  ground. 

With  difficulty  he  got  upon  his  feet  and  endeavored  to 
pull  from  its  sheath  a  hunting-knife  which  hung  at  his 
side. 

"I  will  slit  thy  tongue!  'Twill  teach  thee  to  sermon- 
ize Ditrich  von  Stern  as  though  he  were  a  shoemaker!" 
he  continued,  staggering  towards  Hus  with  the  knife 
uplifted  in  his  hand. 

At  this  moment  one  of  the  tipsy  monks  seized  an 
earthenware  pot  from  the  table  and  hurled  it  straight  at 
Hus.  It  missed  its  mark,  and  was  shivered  to  atoms  on 
the  doorpost,  an  inch  or  so  behind  the  head  of  Jerome, 
who,  drawing  his  sword,  leapt  with  one  bound  in  front 
of  Hus,  protecting  him. 

"When  thou  comest  to  thy  senses,  most  reverend 
Father  Ditrich,  take  to  heart  the  truth  thou  hast  heard. 
A  tussle  with  me  might  end  sadly  for  thy  worthy 
friends,"  he  shouted  scornfully.  "Come,  Master  John, 
let  us  leave  this  sty!" 
20 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Yes,  let  us  shake  its  dust  from  our  feet.  A  crust  of 
bread  beneath  this  roof  would  poison  any  man,"  said 
Hus,  in  a  voice  trembling  with  agitation. 

Taking  no  notice  of  the  oaths  and  execrations  hurled 
in  their  wake  they  left  the  room,  and  in  the  passage 
nearly  stumbled  over  the  prostrate  body  of  Father  Ber- 
thold,  who  lay  stretched  upon  the  ground,  bitterly  sob- 
bing, beating  his  breast,  and  lamenting : 

"Mea  culpa!  Mea  culpa!  I  have  sinned  against 
thee,  my  Heavenly  Father!" 

"With  the  greatest  aversion  they  stepped  across  the 
drunkard,  hastily  mounted  their  horses,  and  rode  out  of 
Jthe  courtyard.  From  the  house  came  the  sound  of  a  hor- 
rible din,  with  which  the  shrieks  of  women  mingled. 

For  some  moments  they  rode  on  silently. 

"There  we  have  seen  a  speaking  picture  of  what  is 
becoming  of  the  Church,"  said  Jerome,  slackening  his 
pace,  "though  as  regards  Ditrich  nothing  is  surprising. 
Three  years  ago  in  Prague  I  witnessed  a  scene  of  abomi- 
nation which  clearly  showed  of  what  he  is  capable.  You 
know  I  dwelt  then  with  my  aunt,  in  the  Mala  Strana,  and 
once  I  was  returning  home  in  the  evening  with  Master 
Yakubek  when,  in  front  of  us,  we  heard  cries,  laughter, 
and  hooting  from  a  crowd  of  people,  artisans,  boys,  and 
such  like.  We  hastened  our  steps  to  see  what  had  oc- 
curred, and  there  before  us  was  a  tipsy  man  with  a  ton- 
sured head — he  had  a  good  deal  of  hair  at  that  time — 
perfectly  naked,  proceeding  in  a  zig-zag.  The  people 
were  mocking,  and  throwing  mud  at  him,  and  he  retorted 

21 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

by  spitting  at  them  and  pouring  forth  choice  oaths. 
They  would  certainly  have  thrashed  him  soundly,  had  he 
not  found  refuge  in  the  gateway  of  some  house  where  he 
remained  hidden.  Yakubek,  who  could  not  contain  him- 
self for  wrath,  at  once  set  inquiries  afoot,  and  we  learned 
that  the  name  of  this  rascal  was  Ditrich  von  Stern,  and 
that  he  was  a  priest  who  had  traveled  to  Prague,  seeking 
to  become  a  canon.  Meanwhile  he  diverted  himself  in 
pot-houses,  and  the  vilest  haunts,  being  an  impassioned 
gambler.  That  day  luck  had  forsaken  him,  and  he  had 
gambled  everything  away,  even  to  his  shirt,  and  was  re- 
turning naked  to  the  Vysehrad,  where  his  mistress  dwelt. 
Yakubek  presently  uttered  a  thunder-like  denunciation, 
but  the  Archbishop  hushed  up  the  matter,  ordering  Dit- 
rich to  quit  the  town  forthwith.  Nevertheless  he  was 
not  made  canon." 

"Well,  thou  hast  seen  a  drunken  priest  stark  naked  in 
the  street,  and  I  not  long  since  beheld  one  who  refused  to 
bury  the  poor  until  he  had  received  payment  therefor. 
"Which  of  these  is  worse  I  know  not, ' '  said  Hus,  bitterly. 

"Thanks  to  this  accursed  Ditrich  we  are  again  upon 
the  high-road,  and  like  to  pass  the  night  there." 

"Nay,  I  hope  that  we  may  soon  find  shelter.  Me- 
thinks,  not  far  from  here  must  stand  the  castle  of  Baron 
Rabstein,  with  whom  I  became  acquainted  in  Prague," 
said  Hus  to  comfort  him.  "The  Baron  entertained  me 
with  great  benevolence,  and  I  even  made  fast  friends  with 
his  daughter,  the  little  Rugena.  We  shall  be  honorably 
received  beneath  his  hospitable  roof." 
22 


Ill 

IT  was  already  quite  dark  when  the  travelers  at  last 
reached  Rabstein  Castle — an  imposing  feudal  fortress — 
and  knocked  at  the  gate.  On  learning  the  names  of  the 
new-comers  the  old  castellan  hastened  to  admit  them, 
notwithstanding  the  absence  of  the  master  and  the  late- 
ness of  the  hour. 

They  were  first  conducted  to  the  dining-hall,  and  mean- 
while two  sleeping  apartments  were  prepared  for  them. 
"While  they  were  being  served  with  supper  the  castellan 
related  how,  ten  days  before,  the  Baron  had  gone  to 
Prague,  and  how,  that  day,  a  journeying  pedlar  had 
brought  the  news  that  he  had  fallen  ill  upon  the  road  and 
had  been  removed  to  Pilsen  by  a  Bishop  of  his  acquaint- 
ance. 

"Perhaps  it  is  untrue ;  yet  nevertheless  the  news  of  the 
Baron's  illness  hath  alarmed  us  all,"  said  the  faithful 
servant,  with  tears  in  his  eyes. 

At  that  moment  the  door  suddenly  flew  open  and  a 
little  girl,  followed  by  an  elderly  woman  in  a  white  hood, 
ran  into  the  room.  She  was  a  charming  child,  tall  for 
her  nine  years.  There  was  fairy-like  lightness  in  her 
slim,  graceful  figure.  Her  pretty  little  face  was  thin, 
and  of  a  clear  paleness.  Her  large  blue  eyes,  so  dark  as 

23 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

to  appear  almost  black,  looked  gravely  out  from  between 
thick,  curling  lashes. 

Breaking  away  from  the  nurse  who  sought  to  restrain 
her,  the  child  ran  straight  to  Hus,  not  noticing  Jerome. 

* '  Hast  thou  brought  news  of  my  father,  Master  John  1 
Is  he  better?"  she  asked  in  a  frightened  voice.  "The 
pedlar  said  that  he  was  very  ill,  and  that  they  were  carry- 
ing him  in  a  litter. ' ' 

Hus  tenderly  took  the  child's  cold  little  hands  within 
his  own. 

"Dear  Rugena,  I  have  not  come  from  Pilsen.  I  am 
but  going  there  now,  and  I  know  nothing  of  thy  father's 
illness.  Have  no  fear,  but  trust  in  the  Heavenly 
mercy." 

Rugena  lifted  to  him  her  beautiful  eyes,  filled  with 
tears. 

"Thou  dost  not  think  that  God  will  let  my  father  die, 
thus  leaving  me  alone  ? "  .  .  . 

Sobs  choked  her  voice. 

Touched  by  the  grief  of  the  child,  Hus  drew  her  to  him, 
and  tried  to  comfort  her. 

The  deep,  mild  voice  and  fascinating  personality  of  the 
young  preacher  produced  a  beneficial  effect  upon  the 
child.  Rugena 's  sorrowful  face  grew  brighter.  She 
meekly  folded  her  hands  and  laid  her  little  curly  head 
trustingly  on  the  consoler's  shoulder.  Then  she  re- 
marked the  presence  of  Jerome,  and  gave  him  a  friendly 
greeting. 

Rejoiced  at  the  calming  influence  of  his  words,  Hus 
24 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

persuaded  Rugena  to  go  back  to  bed,. and  she  was  pre- 
paring to  obey  him  when  suddenly  muffled  sounds  arose 
in  the  corridor  without. 

Hasty  steps  were  heard,  cries  and  lamentations ;  then, 
at  last  the  door  opened  and  on  the  threshold  appeared  an 
old  armor-bearer,  pale  and  covered  with  dust.  Behind 
him  followed  the  castellan,  with  tears  running  down  his 
distraught  face. 

"Alas,  reverend  Master  'John,"  said  the  castellan  in  a 
shaking  voice,  "what  terrible  woe  has  befallen  us!  Our 
beloved  lord  is  dead!" 

On  seeing  the  Baron's  armor-bearer  Rugena  ran  to- 
wards him,  but  his  mournful  and  exhausted  aspect  terri- 
fied her,  and  she  stopped  and  stood  as  though  rooted  to 
the  spot.  Then,  at  the  castellan's  words,  she  gave  a  dull 
cry  and  helplessly  threw  up  her  arms.  Her  head  fell 
back,  and  she  would  have  fallen  to  the  floor  had  not  the 
nurse  caught  her  in  time. 

Those  present  hastened  to  her  aid;  but  Rugena  was 
insensible,  and  she  was  carried  away  without  recovering 
consciousness. 

Hus,  profoundly  affected  by  this  tragic  circumstance, 
begged  the  armor-bearer  Matthias  to  go  with  him,  and  to 
relate  in  full  the  details  of  the  untimely  death  of  the 
Baron,  whose  splendid  physique  and  perfect  health  had 
promised  him  still  many  years  of  life. 

Matthias  minutely  described  the  circumstances  of  his 
master 's  death,  with  difficulty  restraining  his  sobs. 

Upon  hearing  Brancaccio's  name,  Jerome  started. 

25 


THE     TORCH-BEAEERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"What !  Brancaccio,  the  nephew  of  Baldassare  Cossa, 
connected  with  this  misfortune !  Oh,  then.  ..." 

A  disapproving  glance  from  Hus  restrained  him,  and 
he  resumed  more  quietly : 

* '  I  know  the  Bishop ;  but  his  presence  here  astonished 
me.  I  thought  he  was  in  Italy." 

A  bitter  smile  appeared  for  an  instant  upon  the  ar- 
mor-bearer's lips,  but  he  continued  his  story,  and  at  the 
end  asked  permission  to  depart. 

"What  didst  thou  wish  to  say  by  thine  uncautious 
exclamation  concerning  Brancaccio?"  asked  Hus,  when 
they  remained  alone. 

"I  could  not  restrain  myself!  The  thought  entered 
my  head  that  the  sudden  illness  and  death  of  the  Baron 
were  unnatural  and  the  Bishop's  solicitous  attentions  to 
the  sick  man — suspicious !  When  I  was  in  Italy  I  heard 
stories  about  Cossa — he  was  then  Archbishop  Ankonsky 
— incredible  stories  that  set  the  hair  on  end.  It  was  said 
that  he  had  been  a  pirate  and  had  forsaken  that  calling 
to  become  a  chief  of  Italian  mercenaries.  I  don't  know 
why  he  deserted  and  assumed  the  cassock,  but  it  is  cer- 
tain that  it  does  not  hinder  him  from  continuing  his 
former  occupations — brigandage  and  depredation.  The 
nephew  of  this  cut-throat,  they  say,  is  the  right  hand  of 
his  uncle,  and  is  it  likely  he  would  take  the  trouble  to 
visit  Bohemian  nobles  if  he  were  not  certain  of  some  rich 
booty  ?  It  is  strange  that  Waldstein  is  appointed  execu- 
tor, the  more  strange  as  it  is  well  known  that  he  and  the 
late  Baron  were  political  antagonists.  Rabstein,  as  you 
26 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

know,  is  a  fervent  adherent  to  the  'Union  of  Bohemian 
Nobles, '  and  aided  Rosenberg  to  seize  the  King  at  Beroun, 
while  Ginek  Waldstein  is  an  influential  member  of  that 
band  of  court  menials  who  surround  the  King.  That  is 
enough  to  uphold  my  suspicions. ' ' 

"May  the  mercy  of  God  protect  the  innocent  orphan 
amid  all  these  abominations!"  whispered  Hus,  crossing 
himself. 

Then,  sinking  to  his  knees,  he  said  his  evening  prayer, 
and  retired  to  rest,  as  he  was  nearly  dropping  with 
fatigue. 

On  leaving  the  guests'  apartments  Matthias  was  obliged 
to  repeat  in  the  servants'  quarters  the  whole  story  of  the 
Baron 's  death ;  and  afterwards  the  castellan  spoke  with 
him  for  a  long  time.  Free  at  last,  he  hastened  to  the 
apartments  of  Rugena,  and  notwithstanding  the  lateness 
of  the  hour  knocked  lightly  at  a  door  next  to  that  of  the 
child 's  bedroom. 

It  was  opened  at  once. 

"I  thought  thou  wouldst  come,  Matthias,  and  was 
awaiting  thee,"  whispered  the  nurse. 

' '  I  wished  to  speak  with  thee  of  the  calamity  which  has 
befallen  us.  How  fares  our  luckless  little  mistress  ? ' ' 

"The  angel  sleeps.  Her  grief  and  tears  exhausted  her 
at  last.  When  I  carried  her  here  I  feared  at  first  that  she 
would  lose  her  reason;  but  afterwards  she  grew  calmer 
and  fell  asleep  upon  my  knee. ' ' 

Matthias  went  into  the  room  and  sat  down  at  the  table, 
upon  which  an  oil  lamp  was  burning. 

27 


THE  TORCH- BEARERS  OF  BOHEMIA 

Itka  and  Matthias  were  cousins  and  had  been  friends 
from  childhood.  They  were  both  born  and  brought  up  in 
the  castle,  and  their  lives  had  been  passed  in  the  service 
of  the  Rabsteins,  to  whom  they  were  devoted.  The  de- 
ceased Baron  Svietomir  knew  and  valued  their  fidelity, 
and  had  distinguished  them  by  his  trust  in  a  manner 
amounting  almost  to  friendship. 

Silence  fell  in  the  room.  Itka  wept  softly,  while 
Matthias  sat  with  his  elbows  upon  the  table,  gloomily 
frowning. 

"Now,  tell  me  how  our  beloved  master  died.  I  cannot 
understand  from  whence  he  caught  this  illness.  When 
he  left  us  he  was  as  sound  as  a  fish  in  the  water. ' ' 

"For  that  reason  I  am  convinced  that  the  Baron  fell 
the  victim  of  a  dastardly  crime,"  whispered  Matthias, 
bending  towards  the  nurse,  who  was  electrified  by  his 
words. 

"Infamy!  .  .  .  Infamy!  ..."  she  murmured  with 
trembling  lips.  "But  who  could  have  killed  him,  so  kind 
and  generous  as  he  was  ?  To  whose  profit  could  it  have 
been?" 

"Oh,  the  profit  is  clear  enough.  Listen,  and  I  will  tell 
thee  everything  because  I  can  rely  upon  thy  silence,  and 
then  thou  canst  judge  thyself  whether  my  suspicions  are 
well  founded.  Thou  rememberest  how  displeased  I  was 
at  the  unexpected  arrival  of  the  Italian  Bishop.  I  have 
no  faith  in  these  false,  cunning,  insinuating  foreigners: 
they  creep  up  to  you  like  a  dog  in  order  to  bite.  So  on 
the  eve  of  our  departure,  while  undressing  my  master,  I 
28 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

tried  skilfully  to  learn  from  him  why  the  Italian  had 
come.  But  the  master  was  clever.  He  at  once  under- 
stood my  intention,  and  laughed.  He  clapped  me  upon 
the  back,  and  said,  'Know  then,  old  fox,  that  the  Bishop 
came  to  me  as  an  emissary  from  my  cousin,  Ginek,  to 
wheedle  me  out  of  my  money,  and  to  propose  that  I  should 
give  my  daughter  to  Ginek 's  son,  Vok.  But  I  have  no 
intention  either  of  ruining  myself  for  the  "Waldsteins  or 
of  bestowing  my  daughter  upon  their  feather-brained 
son,  and  so  I  told  him.  He  undertook  the  negotiations 
because  he  is  a  relation  of  the  Countess  herself.  So, 
now,  go,  and  sleep  peacefully.  .  .  .  Until  we  reached 
Pilsen  the  master  was  in  excellent  health  and  the  disorder 
seized  him  after  he  had  supped  in  the  'Golden  Calf.' 
When  we  set  forth  again  at  dawn  next  day  I  noticed  that 
the  Baron  was  ailing  and  could  scarce  retain  his  seat 
upon  the  saddle;  and  when  we  reached  the  first  inn  he 
fell  senseless.  I  forthwith  despatched  one  of  our  people 
to  the  town  for  a  physician.  The  Baron  recognized  no- 
body and  seemed  to  burn  as  though  on  fire.  With  the 
physician  came  the  Bishop  himself  and  his  treasurer. 
Our  master  was  placed  within  the  litter  and  carried  to 
the  town,  to  the  house  of  the  Count  Waldstein.  All 
this  I  deemed  suspicious.  I  mistrust  the  Bishop  since 
I  perceived  that  one  of  his  pages  is — a  woman  in  dis- 
guise. ' ' 

"What  shamelessness ! " 

"Yes,  yes.  Thou  canst  understand,  Itka,  that  this 
discovery  did  not  lead  me  to  respect  him.  And  when 

29 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

that  night  the  villain  dismissed  us  all,  saying  that  he 
himself  would  tend  the  Baron,  I  was  seized  with  such 
despair  that  I  could  not  close  my  eyes.  Hearing  steps 
and  spoken  words  in  my  master's  room  I  crept  into  a 
kind  of  storeroom  adjoining  it,  and  listened.  They  spoke 
softly,  but  I  could  discern  that  our  master  was  dictating 
his  will,  which  the  Bishop  presently  read  out  aloud.  All 
I  could  not  hear,  but  I  remember  well  that  Rugena  was 
committed  to  the  guardianship  of  Rosenberg  who  should 
bring  her  up  until  her  marriage.  Thou  canst  imagine 
what  I  felt  when  that  evening,  the  body  of  our  master 
having  been  placed  within  the  coffin  and  borne  to  the 
church,  Count  Waldstein  assembled  us  all  and  read  to  us 
a  will  by  which  he  was  appointed  Rugena 's  guardian  and 
entrusted  with  her  property  until  her  marriage  with 
Vok,  his  son ;  the  betrothal  to  take  place  speedily  accord- 
ing to  the  desire  of  our  master. ' ' 

"Why,  that  is  brazen  deceit.  The  will  is  false.  We 
must  disclose  the  treachery,  and  make  complaint." 

' '  Complaint  ? "  he  answered,  smiling  bitterly.  ' '  Com- 
plaint to  whom?  Who  will  believe  the  accusation  of  a 
sorry  fellow  such  as  I?  All  would  call  it  libel.  No, 
Itka.  Some  time  later  perhaps  we  will  disclose  the  truth 
to  the  child  herself,  but  now  we  must  needs  be  silent.  I 
grieve  that  they  will  straightway  begin  to  plunder  our 
lord's  possessions,  and  in  his  coffer  are  great  sums  of 
money,  and  our  lady's  diamonds  are  kept  there  too. 
They  are  great  wealth  in  themselves." 

''Shall  we  not  conceal  them  in  some  secret  corner  of 
30 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  tower  ?    Count  Waldstein  has  not  set  foot  within  the 
castle,  and  he  would  never  find  them." 

"A  good  thought!  I  have  the  key  of  the  coffer.  I 
hid  it  straightway  when  I  saw  the  Bishop  accompanying 
the  litter.  To-morrow  night  we  will  contrive  it ! " 

Before  they  parted  these  two  honest  servants  had 
arranged  all  the  details  of  their  plan. 

Before  leaving  the  castle  next  day  Hus  and  Jerome 
asked  to  see  Rugena  that  they  might  express  their  sym- 
pathy to  her  and  bid  her  farewell. 

The  sight  of  the  pale  child,  who  seemed  to  have  wasted 
away  during  the  night,  moved  them  to  the  bottom  of  their 
hearts.  With  tears  in  his  eyes  Hus  drew  Rugena  to- 
wards him,  kissed  her  little  head,  and  blessed  her.  He 
talked  to  her  for  a  long  time,  trying  to  awaken  in  her 
despairing  heart  submission  to  the  will  of  God,  and  to 
convince  her  that  she  would  not  be  separated  for  ever 
from  her  father,  but  would  see  him  again  in  the  future 
life  if  she  had  deserved  it  by  piety  and  virtue.  Her 
father,  he  said,  would  be  her  advocate  in  Heaven,  before 
the  throne  of  God  Almighty. 

The  ardent  faith  by  which  Hus  was  inspired,  and  which 
never  deserted  him,  sustaining  him  even  in  the  hour  of 
death,  acted  like  balm  upon  the  pure,  impressionable  soul 
of  the  child.  Her  anguish  was  by  degrees  replaced  by  a 
deep  though  tranquil  sorrow,  while  a  rush  of  tears  re- 
lieved her  heart.  She  looked  lovingly  and  trustingly  into 
the  clear,  sad  eyes  of  her  consoler,  and  whispered,  clasp- 
ing her  arms  about  his  neck : 

31 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Thou  art  kind,  Master  John;  and  I  love  thee.  Stay 
with  me." 

"Gladly  would  I  stay,  my  child;  but  duty  summons 
me  to  Prague.  But  I  will  pray  for  thee  every  day,  and 
for  thy  father.  God  grant  we  soon  may  meet  again ! ' ' 

"And  I  too,  as  thou  hast  told  me,  will  pray  God  morn- 
ing and  evening,  thinking  of  my  father  and  looking  at 
Heaven  where  he  is  gone.  He  will  know  that  I  am  al- 
ways thinking  of  him. ' ' 

That  night  Itka  and  Matthias  crept  to  the  room  of 
their  late  master,  and  the  armor-bearer  opened  a  great 
iron  coffer  chained  against  the  wall.  From  this  coffer 
they  hastily  removed  two  large,  heavy  boxes,  and  several 
sacks  of  gold.  They  locked  the  coffer  again  and  carried 
the  objects  they  had  taken  from  it  into  the  so-called 
library,  where  a  mass  of  ancient  parchments  and  family 
^documents  were  preserved.  A  part  of  the  wall,  hung 
with  shelves,  moved  aside  at  pressure  upon  a  spring,  and 
disclosed  an  entrance  into  a  rather  large  room,  from 
which  a  secret  passage  led  out  into  the  wood. 

"Here  it  will  all  lie  safe,  until  Rugena  comes  of  age, 
and  her  mother 's  diamonds  will  not  pass  into  the  pockets 
of  that  Italian  knave,"  said  Matthias,  contentedly. 
"And  you,  Itka,  in  case  of  our  death,  must  tell  the  child 
where  her  goods  lie  hid.  She  must  herself  give  the  key 
of  the  coffer  to  Count  "Waldstein.  He  must  have  no  sus- 
picion that  the  diamonds  have  passed  through  our 
hands." 
32 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

The  next  day  Itka  spoke  much  to  Rugena  about  her 
future  guardians,  and  expressed  her  suspicions  as  to  their 
greed,  thus  skilfully  giving  the  child  to  understand  the 
necessity  for  concealing  part  of  her  property  to  prevent 
others  from  depriving  her  of  it. 

Rugena  was  not  only  older  than  her  years,  but  she 
possessed,  too,  that  intelligent  observation  which  develops 
early  in  solitary  children,  brought  up  entirely  among 
older  persons.  In  a  trice  she  realized  that  her  guardians 
were — enemies,  not  to  be  trusted,  and  said,  without  hesi- 
tation : 

"Let  us  hide  the  most  valuable  things!" 

Then  Itka  showed  her  the  secret  room,  and  everything 
that  she  and  Matthias  had  hidden  there ;  and  finally  gave 
her  the  key  of  the  coffer. 

"Rest  assured,"  said  the  child  firmly,  "I  will  betray 
nothing,  and  I  will  not  give  up  my  mother 's  things.  And 
I  will  give  Count  Waldstein  the  key  in  such  a  manner 
that  not  the  slightest  suspicion  shall  fall  upon  Matthias. ' ' 

And  her  pretty  face  expressed  such  sagacity  and  deter- 
mination as  she  spoke,  that  the  nurse  was  positively 
amazed. 

A  few  days  later  the  Count  arrived  with  the  body  at 
Rabstein  Castle  in  order  that  the  dead  man  might  be 
buried  in  the  family  vault ;  and  upon  the  following  morn- 
ing all  the  inhabitants  of  the  castle  were  summoned  to  the 
great  hall  by  order  of  the  Count.  He  himself  read  the 
Baron's  will  appointing  him  Rugena  'a  guardian  and  en- 
trusting him  with  all  her  property  until  her  marriage 

33 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

with  Vok  von  Waldstein,  designated  her  bridegroom. 
Finally  the  Count  declared  that,  after  having  completed 
the  inventory  of  the  property  and  acquainted  himself 
with  the  position  of  affairs,  he  would  take  his  ward  back 
with  him  to  his  house,  where  she  would  be  educated. 

On  that  same  day  Waldstein  energetically  applied  him- 
self to  work,  and  the  absence  of  the  keys  of  the  coffer  at 
once  became  apparent.  He  carefully  questioned  all  the 
servants,  who  of  course  knew  nothing.  After  some  con- 
sideration the  Count  bethought  himself  to  inquire  of 
Rugena  whether  she  knew  by  chance  where  the  key  had 
been  kept. 

"Yes,  I  know  where  it  is;  but  my  father  strictly  for- 
bade me  to  tell  anybody  whatsoever, ' '  the  child  answered 
firmly.  Mindful  of  what  she  had  been  told,  she  continued 
to  regard  the  Count  with  an  air  of  reserve  and  distrust ; 
and  it  was  not  until  Waldstein  had  been  at  some  pains  to 
convince  her  that  he  now  represented  her  father  that 
Rugena  finally  yielded  to  his  persuasions.  Demanding, 
therefore,  that  everybody,  even  Itka,  should  be  sent  from 
the  room,  she  led  her  guardian  into  her  father's  apart- 
ments and  drew  the  key  out  of  a  secret  hiding-place. 

When,  two  days  later,  the  Count  asked  Rugena  whether 
she  knew  the  whereabouts  of  her  mother's  jewels,  she 
expressed  complete  ignorance,  and  maintained  her  ground 
so  firmly  that  at  length  he  believed  her.  This  inspired 
Itka  and  Matthias  with  an  almost  awe-struck  respect  for 
the  child's  intelligence. 

Their  departure  was  fixed  for  a  week  later.  Wald- 
34 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

stein,  desiring  to  be  on  good  terms  with  his  future  daugh- 
ter-in-law, asked  her  what  she  would  like  to  take  with  her. 

"Will  you  permit  me  to  take  anything  I  wish?"  she 
inquired. 

"Yes,  my  child,  if  only  thou  dost  not  ask  to  take  the 
castle  or  one  of  its  towers,  which  would  be  difficult,"  he 
laughed. 

"Then  let  me  keep  my  nurse  and  Matthias  with  me  to 
wait  upon  me,  and  Perouna,  my  father's  favorite  hunt- 
ing-dog." 

' '  To  that  I  agree,  the  more  willingly  as  I  had  thought 
of  it  myself." 

On  the  appointed  day,  Rugena,  sitting  with  Itka  in  the 
litter,  with  Perouna  at  her  feet,  quitted  the  home  of  her 
ancestors,  under  the  protection  of  Matthias,  who  rode  on 
horseback  by  their  side.  With  eyes  wet  with  tears,  and 
a  face  serious  beyond  her  years,  she  bade  farewell  to  her 
father's  castle;  and  when  at  a  turn  in  the  road  it  was 
hidden  from  her  sight  she  burst  into  sobs  and  hid  her 
face  against  the  shoulder  of  her  faithful  nurse. 


35 


IV 

IT  was  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  Waldstein  Castle  were  preparing  to  sit  down  to  supper. 
In  the  great  dining-hall,  ornamented  with  dark  oak  carv- 
ings, the  table  was  spread,  covered  with  sumptuous  plate 
and  Venetian  crystal.  The  Countess,  accompanied  by 
Bishop  Brancaccio  and  Father  Bonaventura,  came  in  and 
sat  down  at  the  table.  The  pages  began  to  wait  upon 
them. 

The  Countess  was  evidently  displeased  at  something. 

"I  cannot  understand  Vok's  absence.  He  should  have 
been  here  half  an  hour  ago.  It  is  a  most  impermissible 
lack  of  attention  on  his  part,"  she  said  in  an  angry  voice. 

At  that  moment  the  sound  of  footsteps  was  heard  in 
the  room  adjoining,  and  in  the  doorway  appeared  a  youth 
of  about  sixteen,  who  bore  a  strong  resemblance  to  the 
Countess. 

Young  Count  Waldstein  was  a  very  handsome  boy,  tall, 
and  beautifully  made,  looking  much  older  than  his  years. 
His  slightly  sun-burned  face  was  expressive  of  daring, 
even  of  arrogance.  The  large  black  eyes  which  he  had 
inherited  from  his  mother  shone  with  pride  and  betrayed 
a  passionate  soul. 

Going  to  his  mother  he  kissed  her  hand  and  asked  her 
pardon  for  his  lateness. 
36 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

The  love  and  pride  with  which  the  Countess  followed 
every  movement  of  her  son  showed  clearly  that  she  idol- 
ized him.  He  sat  down  and  began  to  eat,  but  suddenly 
with  a  frown  glanced  round  the  table. 

"Where  is  Svietomir?"  he  inquired. 

"Where  should  the  glutton  be?  Doing  penance  of 
course, ' '  said  the  Countess,  disdainfully ;  and  turning  to 
Brancaccio  she  added,  "I  cannot  express  the  grief  that 
worthless  boy  occasions  me.  It  is  really  a  punishment 
for  our  good  Father  Harms  to  teach  him  Latin  and  the 
Sciences.  He  is  so  lazy  that  he  will  not  even  learn  the 
psalms  by  heart ! ' ' 

"What  crime  hath  he  committed  to-day?" 

"Father  Ilarius  caught  him  eating  ham,  and  it  is  a  fast- 
day  !  And  he  lied  besides,  saying  that  the  steward 's  wife 
had  given  it  to  him." 

"Ah,  that  was,  in  truth,  a  monstrous  crime.  And 
where  is  the  revered  father  himself?  Exhorting  the 
criminal,  treating  him  to  admonitions  instead  of  supper, 
and  setting  him  a  good  example  of  fasting  and  restraint  ? ' ' 
asked  Vok,  slyly. 

The  Countess  was  indignant. 

"Vok!"  she  said  angrily.  "You  are  again  permitting 
yourself  the  use  of  unseemly  jests.  You  forget  in  whose 
presence  you  are.  It  is  your  duty  to  respect  my  con- 
fessor. Know,  then,  that  our  good  Father  Ilarius  is  vis- 
iting the  sick." 

Vok  answered  nothing,  but  smiled  maliciously.  Bran- 
caccio, who  had  been  closely  observing  him,  in  order  to 

37 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

avert  the  threatening  storm,  began  to  speak  of  other  mat- 
ters. In  especial  he  referred  to  the  fact  that,  from  news 
received  that  morning,  they  expected  the  Count  to  arrive 
at  the  castle  with  Rugena  in  two  days'  time.  The  con- 
versation then  turned  upon  Baron  Rabstein,  and  the  part 
he  had  played  in  the  union  of  nobles,  with  Rosenberg, 
Gradetsky,  Landstein,  and  others.  At  length  they  arose 
from  the  table. 

Letting  his  mother  and  the  Bishop  pass  before  him 
Vok  lingered  by  the  door,  and,  summoning  one  of  the 
pages  by  a  gesture,  whispered  something  into  his  ear. 
The  boy  nodded  to  show  that  he  had  understood,  and  ran 
to  do  his  bidding. 

A  few  minutes  later  he  returned  with  a  basket  in  his 
hands,  and  began  to  fill  it  with  food  that  had  been  left 
upon  the  table :  fish,  roast  meat,  cakes  and  fruit. 

'  'Bogumil !  Thou  good-for-nothing  rascal !  How  dar- 
est  thou  steal  from  off  the  table?  Put  it  all  back,  or  I 
will  pull  thine  ears!"  cried  the  steward  angrily,  and 
seized  him  by  the  collar. 

But  the  boy  slipped  through  his  hands  like  an  eel. 

"Count  Vok  has  ordered  it  to  be  taken  to  his  room  to 
feed  the  dogs  with.  Go  thyself  and  ask  him!"  the  boy 
answered  saucily,  and  disappeared  through  the  door 
snatching  up  a  piece  of  cheese  as  he  passed  the  sideboard. 

' '  What  foolishness — feeding  dogs  on  pike  and  cakes  and 
fruit,"  grumbled  the  steward  angrily.  He  had  been, 
counting  upon  the  dainties  for  himself. 

Saying  that  he  was  tired  after  the  long  journey  on 
38 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

horseback,  Vok  took  leave  of  his  mother  and  the  Bishop 
and  retired  to  his  apartments. 

His  two  rooms  were  furnished  with  all  the  luxuries 
available  in  those  times.  It  was  nearly  dark  already,  and 
little  light  penetrated  through  the  narrow  window  set  in 
the  thick  wall.  A  servant  lit  a  wax  candle  in  a  copper 
candlestick. 

Little  Bogumil  was  meanwhile  laying  the  table  with  the 
provisions  he  had  brought.  Vok,  presenting  him  a  cake 
as  a  reward,  bade  him  retire,  saying  that  he  was  not  to  be 
disturbed  without  some  pressing  cause.  Then,  after 
thinking  awhile,  Vok  rose  and  went  into  the  corridor,  at 
the  end  of  which  was  a  closed  door.  Vainly  he  tried  to 
open  it;  and  at  last  he  thumped  upon  it  with  his  fists, 
crying: 

* '  Svietomir,  thou  silly  boy !  What,  art  thou  asleep  or 
dead  from  hunger  ?  Open  the  door ! ' ' 

"I've  been  locked  in  since  morning,  Vok;  and  I  can 
neither  come  out  nor  open  to  thee, ' '  said  a  weak,  childish, 
tearful  voice  from  within  the  room. 

A  look  of  pity  and  disdain  appeared  upon  young  Wald- 
stein's  expressive  face. 

"Well,  then,  open  the  window  at  least,  and  wait  for 
me.  I  will  come  to  thee,"  he  said,  and  went  back  along 
the  corridor. 

He  hastened  down  the  winding  staircase  into  the  gar- 
den at  the  foot  of  the  castle,  and  went  towards  the  tower, 
at  the  top  of  which,  through  an  open  window,  a  childish 
figure  could  be  dimly  distinguished  in  the  dusk. 

39 


THE     TOBCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  am  here,  Vok;  but  how  canst  thou  get  me  down 
from  such  a  height?"  said  the  little  voice,  anx- 
iously. 

"Look  now!  Is  that  high?  If  I  had  been  in  thy 
place  I  had  been  free  long  ago,  if  only  to  pull  the  nose  of 
that  shorn  devil  who  torments  thee.  Thou  art  but  a  wet 
chicken !  Look,  I  will  show  thee  the  way. ' ' 

A  thick  creeper  covered  the  tower  with  its  dark  green 
leaves.  Making  use  of  its  mighty  branches,  Vok  with 
daring  agility  quickly  gained  the  window,  which  indeed 
was  not  very  far  from  the  ground. 

He  clambered  into  the  round  room  whose  bare  walls 
and  scanty  furniture  presented  a  striking  contrast  to  the 
comfort  and  elegance  of  his  own  apartment.  The  twin- 
kling light  of  the  oil  lamp  before  the  holy  statue  revealed 
a  simple  bed,  a  table,  a  few  wooden  benches,  and  a  read- 
ing-desk in  the  corner.  On  the  table  near  a  pile  of  books 
lay  a  jug  of  water  and  some  crusts  of  bread. 

"Here  am  I !  And  it  is  not  harder  to  get  down  than  to 
come  up!"  said  Vok,  laughing  contentedly.  "Wouldst 
thou  prefer  to  stick  here  and  await  the  coming  of  the 
doughty  Ilarius,  or  to  come  down  into  my  room,  to  sup 
bravely  and  receive  a  present  ?  Choose ! ' ' 

"Of  course  I  would  rather  go  to  supper!  I  am  so 
hungry.  But  I  do  not  know  whether  I  can  climb  down 
like  thee." 

"Bah!  Necessity  gives  birth  to  heroes!  I  will  put 
thee  through  the  window,  and  thou  must  climb  coura- 
geously. See  that  great  branch ;  it  is  like  a  step.  Hold 
40 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  bar  with  thy  hands  and  do  not  let  thyself  go  till  thou 
standest  firm  upon  it. ' ' 

He  helped  Svietomir  to  climb  through  the  window  and 
did  not  let  go  of  him  until  the  boy  said  that  he  stood 
firm. 

' '  Courage !  Have  no  fear !  Thou  weighest  no  heavier 
than  a  hungry  cat.  I  will  come  down  afterwards,  so  as 
not  to  tear  the  creeper." 

The  descent  was  safely  accomplished,  and  in  five  min- 
utes they  were  safe  in  Vok's  room.  He  carefully  locked 
the  door. 

"Eat,  and  fortify  thy  strength!"  he  said,  pointing  to 
the  table.  "After  a  holy  fast  with  Father  Ilarius  thou 
lookest  sickly." 

"I  thank  thee,  Vok.  In  all  the  house  thou  alone  art 
kind  and  pitiful  to  me, ' '  answered  the  famished  child,  sit- 
ting at  the  table  and  proceeding  to  fill  his  mouth  with  the 
good  things  prepared  for  him. 

Now,  in  the  lighted  room,  it  was  possible  to  judge  of 
Svietomir 's  appearance.  He  was  a  thin  boy  of  about 
thirteen,  with  long,  fair,  wavy  hair  and  big,  clear,  gray- 
ish-green eyes.  His  thin,  pleasant  little  face  looked 
transparent,  like  wax.  There  was  a  sad,  shy  smile  on  his 
pale  lips.  The  shabby  old  coat  he  wore,  which  was  far 
too  wide  for  him,  could  not  conceal  the  native  elegance 
of  his  childish  figure,  as  graceful  as  that  of  a  girl. 

When  at  length  the  meal  was  finished  to  the  last  crumb 
Svietomir  ran  to  wash  his  face  and  hands.  Then  he  sat 
down  at  Vok's  side  and  gazed  at  him  in  silence. 

41 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Ah,  how  well  I  have  supped!"  he  said,  with  a  satis- 
fied sigh.  "And  how  thankful  I  am  to  thee,  Vok,  for  thy 
kindness  to  me. ' ' 

"Poor  little  goose!"  said  the  other  with  feeling,  ten- 
derly stroking  his  curly  head.  "Why  art  thou  silent  be- 
fore that  wretch  who  uses  thee  so  vilely? " 

"But  how  should  I  oppose  him?  He  is  stronger  than 
I,  and  my  aunt  is  always  on  his  side.  It  is  now  four  days 
since  he  returned,  and  he  hath  already  beaten  me  thrice. 
And  not  once  have  I  dined  or  supped,  because  he  says 
a  future  priest  must  accustom  himself  to  fasting  and 
mortification  of  the  flesh,  and  not  glut  his  stomach.  Only 
to-day,  because  of  that  unlucky  piece  of  ham,  he  flogged 
me  till  the  blood  ran,  and  said  I  should  be  locked  up  for  a 
week." 

The  boy  was  silent  because  of  the  tears  that  choked  his 
voice. 

"Scoundrel!"  muttered  Vok,  through  his  teeth. 

"Yes,  he  is  a  bad  man,  and  I  hate  him — as  indeed  I 
hate  all  priests.  I  will  sooner  drown  myself  than  be  a 
priest,"  said  Svietomir,  energetically  clenching  his  fists, 
while  his  eyes  flashed  beneath  their  long  lashes. 

"Ah,  at  last!  That  is  how  I  like  to  see  thee.  And 
now  I  will  give  thee  the  present  I  promised  thee." 

The  young  Count  produced  a  sheet  of  parchment  from 
beneath  his  tunic  and  spread  it  out  upon  the  table. 

"Look,  Svietomir!  Here  is  an  indulgence  for  all  sins 
of  the  flesh,  properly  signed  by  the  Archbishop  of  Prague. 
The  name  of  its  possessor  is  not  written  yet,  and  I  am 
42 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

going  to  write  it  now :  Svietomir  Kryshanov.  After  that 
thou  canst  eat  ham  under  the  very  nose  of  Harms,  and  he 
will  not  dare  to  chide  thee  for  it.  Even  though  thou 
shouldest  pummel  him  with  thy  fists,  the  gates  of  Heaven 
will  still  be  open  to  thee ! ' '  Vok  said,  laughing. 

Svietomir  ran  into  the  adjoining  room  to  fetch  ink  and 
a  pen. 

" Where  didst  thou  find  such  a  treasure?"  he  asked 
joyfully  while  Vok  was  writing  on  the  parchment. 

"I  bought  it  of  a  begging  monk  who  was  tumbling 
drunk  about  the  high-road.  He  must  have  stolen  it  from 
somewhere,  because  he  sold  it  me  so  cheap — for  one  gold 
piece.  But  that  does  not  deprive  it  of  any  of  its  value  as 
a  key  to  the  gates  of  Heaven.  Ah !  Father  Ilarius  has 
returned,  it  seems,  from  his  charitable  mission." 

And  indeed  in  the  corridor  was  heard  the  sound  of 
quick  though  heavy  footsteps.  Svietomir  trembled  and 
turned  pale. 

"What  will  he  say  now  when  he  does  not  find  me  in 
the  room?"  he  whispered,  terror  in  his  voice. 

"Ah,  we  will  see !  I  will  have  an  explanation  with  him 
here,  and  try  to  cure  him  of  his  passion  for  making  thee 
a  saint, ' '  saik  Vok,  throwing  the  door  wide  open.  At  the 
end  of  the  corridor  could  be  seen — purple  with  rage — the 
face  of  Father  Ilarius. 

"If  you  are  seeking  Svietomir,  most  reverend  Father, 
he  is  here  with  me,"  cried  Vok,  beckoning  him  to  enter. 

' '  So  you  are  hiding  him  ?  Wait,  thou  abandoned  boy ! 
I  will  deal  with  thee  afterwards  for  thy  knavery,"  said 

43 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  priest,  turning  with  a  threatening  look  to  Svietomir, 
who  was  huddling  against  the  table  half  dead  with  terror. 

"Pardon  me,  most  reverend  Father !  I  wish  that  your 
reckoning  with  Svietomir  should  take  place  now,  in  my 
presence;  the  more  so  since  I  myself  went  to  fetch  him 
and  brought  him  here.  You  should  be  ashamed  to  act  so 
inhumanly  towards  a  child  who  has  nobody  to  protect 
him." 

"Insolent  youth,  do  you  dare  preach  me  a  sermon?  I 
will  complain  to  your  mother  of  your  want  of  respect; 
and  as  to  this  worthless  boy,  committed  to  my  care,  I  will 
reduce  him  properly  by  abstinence  and  fasting.  I  will 
make  him  a  fitting  servant  of  God's  altar,"  wrathfully 
hissed  the  priest. 

Vok  turned  pale,  and  grasping  the  handle  of  his  dagger 
advanced  towards  him  with  a  threatening  face. 

"Before  making  Svietomir  a  worthy  servant  of  the 
Lord  see  that  you  are  one  yourself.  Cease  this  mockery 
with  the  child.  You  do  but  accustom  him  to  lies  and 
hypocrisy.  And  I  would  have  you  aware,  most  reverend 
Harms  Schwarz,  that  I  know  well  the  object  of  your  char- 
itable visits:  it  is  none  other  than  the  daughter  of  the 
charcoal-dealer,  Michael,  whom  you  seduced  last  spring, 
forcing  her  and  her  father  to  keep  silence  for  fear  he  lose 
his  place.  If  I  tell  that  to  my  father  there  will  be  much 
unpleasantness  for  you.  He  would  not  be  best  pleased 
that  my  mother's  confessors  should  so  disport  themselves 
upon  his  lands.  Be  contented  with  your  salutary  influ- 
ence upon  the  Countess,  my  mother,  who  is  so  blind  as  not 
44 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

to  note  your  escapades ;  and  refrain  from  your  iniquitous 
behavior  to  Svietomir,  who,  by  the  way,  is  now  possessed 
of  an  indulgence  freeing  him  from  the  obligation  of  ob- 
serving fasts,"  Vok  concluded  derisively,  pointing  to  the 
parchment  spread  out  upon  the  table. 

But  the  monk  vouchsafed  it  not  a  glance.  Choking 
with  rage  he  turned  and  ran  out  of  the  room,  noisily  slam- 
ming the  door  behind  him. 

"Curse  thee !  Thou  shalt  answer  to  me  for  this!"  he 
hissed  between  his  teeth,  as  he  swept  along  the  corridor 
like  a  hurricane. 

The  impotent  wrath  of  his  mother's  confessor  threw  the 
young  Count  into  a  merry  mood.  He  flung  himself, 
laughing,  into  an  armchair,  and  only  after  his  first  fit  of 
mirth  had  passed  did  he  turn  to  Svietomir,  who  was  still 
standing  mournfully  by  the  table. 

"Fear  not,  Svietomir,"  he  said  reassuringly.  "Thou 
wilt  not  be  made  to  answer  for  this  parley.  If  he  beat 
thee  again,  complain  to  me,  and  I  will  find  the  means  to 
muzzle  this  German  dog.  To-night  thou  shalt  sleep  in 
my  room.  We  will  let  the  first  wrath  of  this  fire-eater 
die  away  before  thou  encounterest  him  again." 

While  the  servant,  at  the  young  Count's  command,  was 
preparing  a  bed  for  Svietomir,  Vok  himself  ascended  the 
winding  staircase  to  a  room  in  the  highest  story  of  the 
tower  in  which  little  Kryshanov  was  lodged.  Here  too 
the  furnishing  was  of  the  simplest  description,  but  an 
abundant  array  of  swords,  daggers,  lances,  gauntlets, 

45 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

cross-bows,  and  various  other  implements  of  warfare  gave 
a  martial  appearance  to  the  room. 

A  man  of  gigantic  build  was  sitting  at  the  table,  read- 
ing the  Bible  by  the  light  of  an  oil  lamp.  This  was  An- 
ton Broda — teacher  of  knightly  arts  at  the  castle.  Broda 
enjoyed  the  respect  of  the  old  Count  and  especially 
that  of  Vok,  to  whom  in  earlier  years  he  had  been 
nurse,  as  he  had  been  later  his  instructor  in  the  science 
of  war. 

At  the  entrance  of  young  Waldstein,  Broda  rose,  but 
the  boy  made  him  a  sign  to  be  seated  again,  and  dragging 
forward  a  bench  sat  down  at  his  side. 

"Ah,  Broda,"  he  said  gaily,  "I  must  tell  thee  what  has 
occurred  between  Father  Harms  and  me.  He  nearly 
burst  with  rage  when  he  discovered  that  I  knew  of  his 
intrigue  with  old  Michael's  daughter.  Thou  didst  him  a 
sorry  turn  when  thou  toldst  me  of  that  escapade."  And 
he  related  his  conversation  with  Svietomir,  the  purchase 
of  the  indulgence,  and  the  collision  with  the  priest. 
"Thou  seest,  Anton,  that  I  have  kept  my  word,  and 
taken  Svietomir  under  my  protection,"  concluded  the 
youth  with  a  contented  air. 

"God  will  reward  thee,  sir,  for  a  good  deed.  And  I 
can  ill  support  the  sobs  and  cries  of  that  unhappy  child 
when  the  German  dog  torments  him.  That  such  a  villain, 
such  a  shameless  libertine,  should  wear  the  priestly  cas- 
sock!" 

"Now  he  is  in  my  hands.  But  I  would  bid  thee  re- 
member, Broda,  that  while  I  have  kept  my  promise  thou 
46 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

hast  not  yet  kept  thine.  Thou  wilt  take  me  to  one  of  the 
secret  meetings  of  which  thou  hast  spoken  ? ' ' 

Broda  leant  his  elbows  on  the  table  and  grew  thought- 
ful. 

"I  have  not  brought  myself  to  do  so  yet,  Lord  Vok, 
because  I  am  not  sure  whether  thy  father  would  approve. 
But  since  thou  dost  so  urgently  desire  it — let  it  be  so! 
Why,  it  is  not  a  sin  to  gather  in  our  fashion,  to  pray  to 
God  as  our  fathers  prayed,  to  speak  of  the  misery  of  our 
country,  which  no  Bohemian  can  contemplate  without  a 
bleeding  heart.  So,  let  us  go  next  Saturday.  I  know 
that  thou  wilt  never  betray  me.  ..." 

"That  I  swear  by  Christ!" 

After  some  further  conversation  the  young  Count  went 
back  to  his  room,  and  Anton  resumed  his  reading  of  the 
Bible. 

A  strange  man  was  this  Broda — reserved,  and  of  a 
severe  and  gloomy  aspect.  All  the  servants  in  the  castle 
feared  him,  yet  they  loved  and  respected  him  because  of 
his  justice  and  integrity.  Frequently,  too,  as  they  were 
aware,  he  used  his  great  influence  over  the  young  Count 
to  rescue  people  from  misfortune,  or  from  the  wrath  of 
the  German  manager,  a  protege  of  the  Countess. 

His  life  had  been  stormy  and  full  of  adventure. 

In  those  hard  times  his  family  had  found  it  difficult  to 
live,  since  his  father,  a  poor  gentleman,  possessed  but  a 
small  estate  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Kladburg  mon- 
astery. 

The  indifference  of  Squire  Nicholas  and  his  family  to 

47 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  religious  observances  of  the  Church  caused  them  to  be 
suspected  of  belonging  to  the  ancient  faith  (which  had 
been  pronounced  heretical  in  the  country),  and  of  se- 
cretly receiving  communion  in  both  kinds.  This  suspi- 
cion called  forth  the  disfavor  of  the  prior,  and  it  was 
known  that  he  was  hotly  desirous  of  purging  the  fold  of 
such  black  sheep  who  might  infect  the  whole  flock. 

But  in  this  case  it  was  difficult,  as  Squire  Nicholas  kept 
tight  hold  of  his  little  piece  of  land,  and  was  held  in  high 
respect  by  the  surrounding  peasantry.  His  weakness, 
however,  was  poverty,  and  in  a  difficult  moment  he  was 
forced  to  borrow  money  at  a  high  rate  of  interest  from  a 
German  townsman.  Two  years  later,  while  traveling  to 
the  town  to  see  his  creditor,  Squire  Nicholas  disappeared, 
entirely  without  trace.  The  German  presented  his  claim 
for  payment,  and  the  debt  appeared  to  be  of  such  mag- 
nitude that  the  whole  property  passed  into  his  hands. 
The  widow,  with  her  two  children,  Martin  and  Anton, 
was  thrown  into  the  street.  She  soon  died,  carrying  with 
her  to  the  grave  the  conviction  that  her  husband,  who  on 
the  day  of  his  disappearance  had  been  carrying  with  him 
money  for  the  payment  of  his  debt,  had  been  done  to 
death.  This  she  believed  had  occurred  at  the  instigation 
of  the  creditor  himself,  in  order  that  he  might  become 
possessed  of  their  land,  upon  which  he  afterwards  set- 
tled a  nephew  of  his  own. 

Alone  in  the  world,  without  a  farthing  of  money,  Mar- 
tin and  Anton,  one  eighteen  years  of  age  and  the  other 
sixteen,  were  forced  to  adopt  roving  lives.  Anton,  who 
48 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

was  distinguished  by  remarkable  beauty  and  by  gigantic 
strength  and  stature,  became  a  captain  of  mercenaries, 
and  fought  in  many  battles,  at  first  in  his  own  country 
and  afterwards  even  in  Italy  in  the  army  of  the  Duke 
of  Mantua.  But  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  his 
stormy  life  two  feelings  were  firmly  imprinted  upon  his 
soul — love  for  his  country  and  invincible  hatred  of 
everything  German. 

Chance  led  him  to  Count  Waldstein,  who  offered  him 
a  place  in  his  house  as  teacher  of  knightly  accomplish- 
ments ;  and  as  that  was  an  honorable  and  well-paid  posi- 
tion, he  gladly  accepted  the  offer.  During  the  Count's 
long  absence  in  Prague  Broda  became  a  constant  attend- 
ant at  the  sermons  of  Mathew  of  Janov.  To  him,  Ger- 
manism and  Catholicism  were  one,  and  were  therefore 
equally  detestable ;  so  that  he  became  a  fervent  partizan 
of  reform.  Old  religious  memories  awoke  in  him  and 
bound  him  body  and  soul  to  the  Greek  form  of  worship 
practised  by  his  ancestors,  adherents  to  which  continued 
secretly  to  exist.  A  few  years  after  entering  the  service 
of  the  Count,  Broda  saved  the  life  of  the  five-year-old 
Vok,  who  was  being  nearly  gored  to  death  by  an  infuri- 
ated bull,  and  this  feat  not  only  gained  him  the  favor 
of  his  employers,  but  gave  rise  to  a  close  friendship  be- 
tween the  boy  and  his  rescuer. 

Vok's  fiery  and  courageous  nature  was  dear  to  the 
heart  of  the  old  warrior,  and  the  little  Count  loved  his 
tutor's  tales  of  war  and  hunting,  and  his  legends  of  the 
ancient  heroes  of  Bohemia. 

49 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

All  his  bile  and  savage  hatred  of  everything  German, 
all  his  scorn  for  the  priesthood  in  their  depravity  and 
blind  subservience  to  the  foreigners,  Anton  poured  into 
the  young  Count's  heart,  and  their  conversations  led  in- 
evitably to  Vok's  entering  into  relations  with  the  ad- 
herents of  the  ancient  faith,  and  his  admission  to  their 
secret  gatherings. 


50 


AT  length  Count  Waldstein  arrived  with  Rugena  at  the 
castle.  Vok  met  them  in  the  courtyard,  bowed  low  to  his 
little  betrothed,  and  helped  her  to  alight  from  the  litter. 
Taking  in  all  the  details  of  Eugena's  appearance  with  one 
proud  glance  he  appeared  satisfied  with  her  and  led  her 
to  his  mother.  But  Rugena  regarded  her  bridegroom  in 
an  unfriendly,  almost  inimical  manner,  and  tried  to  with- 
draw her  hand  from  his.  The  Countess  "Waldstein  also 
displeased  her  excessively,  so  that  after  submitting  in 
silence  to  her  kisses  and  demonstrative  embraces  Rugena 
sat  stiffly  down.  The  Countess,  upon  her  part,  appeared 
not  to  notice  the  cold  hostility  of  her  future  daughter-in- 
law,  and  leading  her  affectionately  to  a  luxurious  chamber 
set  apart  for  the  wealthy  heiress,  bade  her  rest  until 
evening. 

Half  an  hour  before  supper  the  Countess  came  to  her 
again,  and,  bidding  Itka  accompany  them,  led  Rugena 
to  a  large  room  where  were  gathered  to  meet  them  the 
Bishop,  both  Counts — father  and  son — the  two  priests, 
and  the  principal  servants  of  the  castle,  with  the  castellan 
and  Broda  at  their  head.  When  all  were  assembled 
Count  Ginek  solemnly  announced  that  in  conformity  with 
the  will  of  his  deceased  cousin,  which  was  in  complete 
agreement  with  his  own  desires,  he  further  betrothed  Ru- 
gena Rabstein  to  Vok,  Count  Waldstein,  his  son,  and  that 

51 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  joyful  event  would  be  appropriately  feasted  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  period  of  mourning  for  the  heavy  loss 
which  the  family  had  incurred ;  while  the  wedding  itself 
would  take  place  when  the  bride  had  accomplished  six- 
teen years  of  age. 

Although  Rugena  was  still  a  child  she  instinctively 
felt  the  gravity  of  the  moment  and  turned  pale ;  and  when 
the  Count  endeavored  to  join  her  hand  with  that  of  her 
future  bridegroom  she  tore  it  away  and  drew  back. 

"I  don't  want  to!"  she  whispered. 

"Rugena!"  protested  the  Count  in  a  severe  voice,  "I 
did  not  think  that  thou  wouldst  oppose  the  will  of  thy 
dead  father!  The  Lord  Bishop  there,  who  assisted  at 
thy  father's  last  moments,  can  vouch  for  his  desire.  His 
Eminence  in  the  kindness  of  his  heart  expressed  the  wish 
to  bless  your  betrothal,  and  now  thou  art  refusing  like  a 
capricious,  ill-taught  little  girl!" 

Rugena  had  been  trained  in  a  deep  respect  for  the 
Church  and  its  servants,  and  had  seen  Brancaccio  in 
friendly  relations  with  her  father  when  he  had  last  visited 
the  castle.  In  the  face  of  such  an  authority  her  childish 
obstinacy  melted  at  once.  "Without  further  resistance  she 
stretched  out  her  hand  to  the  Bishop,  who  laid  it  in  that 
of  Vok  and  placed  an  emerald  ring  upon  her  finger.  Her 
soul  was  seized  with  sudden  anguish  when  she  lifted  her 
eyes  to  the  face  of  her  betrothed  and  caught  his  gloomy, 
displeased  glance.  With  difficulty  she  kept  back  the 
tears  that  trembled  on  her  long,  thick  lashes. 
52 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

At  the  supper-table  the  betrothed  couple  were  placed  in 
seats  of  honor,  and  when  their  health  was  toasted  Bran- 
caccio  made  a  speech  setting  forth  the  sanctity  of  the 
bonds  of  love  and  duty  which  united  them.  Rugena, 
observant  and  developed  beyond  her  years,  observed  that 
the  Bishop 's  words  provoked  a  disdainful  smile  from  Vok, 
and  this  want  of  reverence  for  the  words  of  an  orator 
of  such  high  dignity  surprised  and  grieved  her,  so  that 
when  at  last  she  went  to  her  room  with  Itka,  who  was 
waiting  to  undress  her,  she  burst  into  despairing  sobs. 
From  these  she  did  not  cease — in  spite  of  the  nurse's 
attempts  at  consolation — until  at  last  sleep  came  to  re- 
lieve her  weary  body  and  aching  heart. 

The  next  day  Rugena  was  calmer  when  she  awoke.  A 
great  box  of  toys  and  sweetmeats  sent  by  her  betrothed 
somewhat  conciliated  her.  She  was  also  interested  in  the 
unpacking  of  the  various  objects  brought  from  her  home, 
and  at  last  she  went  out  into  the  garden  to  play  with 
Perouna. 

Running  with  the  dog  along  the  shady  alleys  she  re- 
membered her  walks  with  her  father,  and  her  gaiety  sud- 
denly disappeared.  A  feeling  of  loneliness  wrung  her 
heart,  and  the  tears  gushed  from  her  eyes.  With  droop- 
ing head  she  sat  down  upon  a  bench,  while  Perouna 
stretched  himself  out  at  her  feet. 

Suddenly,  through  her  tears,  she  perceived  a  boy,  with 
a  book  in  his  hands,  sitting  beneath  a  tree  not  far  away. 
He  was  looking  at  her  with  some  curiosity.  His  pale  little 

53 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

face  and  big  sorrowful  eyes  attracted  Rugena,  and  di- 
verted her  sad  thoughts. 

"Who  art  thou?  What  art  thou  doing  here?"  she 
asked,  forgetting  everything  else  in  her  newly  awakened 
interest. 

"I  am  Svietomir,"  answered  the  boy  hesitatingly; 
"and  I  am  learning  the  Latin  lesson  set  me." 

"Thy  name  is  Svietomir  like  my  father's?"  exclaimed 
Rugena  in  astonishment.  "Come  here  quickly,  and  tell 
me  where  thou  livest  and  what  thou  art. ' ' 

But  the  boy  did  not  move. 

She  ran  to  him,  took  his  hand,  and  led  him  back  to 
her  seat. 

"How  beautiful  thou  art!  Thou  must  be  Vok's  be- 
trothed!" said  Svietomir,  looking  at  her  in  delight. 

With  her  big  bright  eyes  and  masses  of  curly  golden 
hair  Rugena  seemed  to  him,  indeed,  like  some  unearthly 
vision. 

"Yes,  but  I  should  like  better  not  to  be  betrothed  to 
him,  he  is  wicked,"  she  said. 

"But  that  is  not  true.  Vok  is  good  and  kind,  and  he 
protects  me,"  Svietomir  asserted — with  such  warmth  that 
Rugena  was  disconcerted. 

"But  who  art  thou  that  thou  hast  need  of  protection, 
and  protection  from  whom?"  she  asked,  half  in  astonish- 
ment and  half  in  scorn. 

"I  am  an  orphan.     Count  Waldstein  took  me  out  of 
charity  to  educate  me.    My  name  is  Svietomir  Kry- 
shanov." 
54 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

' '  Sigismund  Kryshanov  often  came  to  visit  my  father 
in  Prague ;  but  he  was  a  rich  noble. ' '  . 

' '  He  was  my  second  cousin. ' ' 

"And  why  dost  thou  not  live  with  him?" 

"He  and  his  brother  were  enemies  to  my  father  who  is 
dead;  but  I  know  not  why.  And  when  my  father  was 
killed  in  the  last  war  between  the  nobles  and  the  King 
they  would  not  acknowledge  me.  "We  had  nothing  left 
then.  Count  Waldstein  was  my  father's  friend  and  took 
me  home  with  him,  and  it  is  now  seven  years  since  I  came 
to  live  here.  When  I  grow  up  I  am  to  be  a  priest,  though 
I  have  no  desire  at  all  to  be  one."  And  Svietomir  sighed 
deeply. 

"If  Vok  is  thy  protector  he  will  not  let  them  make 
thee  one  by  force." 

' '  Oh,  he  has  not  so  much  power !  It  is  his  mother  who 
desires  that  I  should  be  a  priest.  And  when  her  con- 
fessor, Father  Ilarius,  beats  me  and  starves  me  with  fasts, 
so  that  I  know  not  what  to  do  for  hunger,  Vok  feeds  me 
secretly. ' ' 

"I  shall  think  better  of  Vok  now.  But  thou  shalt  no 
longer  hunger.  Come  to  me,  and  thou  shalt  have  as 
many  dainties  as  thou  canst  wish.  And  I  will  tell  the 
Countess  that  thou  art  my  friend  and  that  thy  preceptor 
must  set  thee  free  when  I  desire  it,  that  thou  mayest  play 
with  me. ' ' 

The  conversation  grew  still  more  intimate.  The  lone- 
liness of  their  positions  as  orphans  in  a  strange  house 
drew  them  to  one  another.  Svietomir  was  much  nearer 

55 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

to  Rugena  in  years  and  character  than  Vok,  who  was 
almost  a  grown  youth.  They  separated  with  warm  af- 
fection and  a  promise  to  meet  and  play  together  as  often 
as  possible. 


56 


VI 

ON  the  Saturday  morning  Vok  begged  permission  of  his 
father  to  set  forth  on  a  hunting  tour  which  might  keep 
him  absent  until  the  evening  of  the  following  day.  The 
Count  was  a  passionate  hunter  himself,  and  gave  his  con- 
sent the  more  freely  for  knowing  that  with  Broda  his  son 
would  be  in  safe  hands.  Having  breakfasted  heartily 
and  armed  themselves  thoroughly — not  only  for  the  pur- 
pose of  hunting  but  for  that  of  self-defense  in  case  of  an 
unexpected  attack — they  rode  out  of  the  courtyard. 

They  talked  together  as  they  rode.  Broda  related  to 
the  young  Count  how  his  father  had  suffered  for  his  at- 
tachment to  old  customs,  and  how,  in  his  youth,  in  the 
time  of  King  John,  he  had  heard  John  of  Moravia  preach. 

Towards  evening  they  entered  a  thick  wood  in  a  hilly 
party  of  the  country,  intersected  by  ravines  and  rocks. 
They  turned  aside  into  a  path  and  rode  straight  forward 
along  a  roadless  track,  guided  by  the  setting  sun.  The 
wind  swayed  the  tree-tops  and  the  wood  seemed  haunted 
by  a  dull,  uncanny  moaning  sound.  A  wilderness  lay 
spread  around  them,  and  the  gathering  darkness  made  it 
look  still  more  gloomy  and  forbidding.  At  length  Broda 
stopped  his  horse. 

"Alight,  sir!  Here  we  must  leave  the  horses  and  go 
forward  on  foot,"  he  said. 

57 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

"Shall  we  find  them  later  in  such  darkness?"  Vok 
anxiously  inquired. 

' '  Don 't  be  afraid.  I  know  this  place  well, ' '  said  Broda, 
springing  to  the  ground. 

They  unharnessed  and  tethered  the  horses  and  Broda, 
taking  his  pupil's  arm,  turned  into  the  thickest  part  of 
the  forest.  But  they  had  only  proceeded  a  few  paces 
when  the  figure  of  a  man  holding  a  naked  sword,  ap- 
peared from  behind  a  tree  and  barred  their  way. 

"Who  comes?"  he  asked. 

"Brothers,  on  their  way  to  the  Temple  of  Sion!" 
answered  Broda.  "Let  us  pass,  Juste;  and  have  a  care 
of  our  horses. ' ' 

After  a  few  moments  they  emerged  from  the  wood. 
Before  them  lay  a  narrow  though  deep  hollow  beset  with 
rocks.  Deep  in  the  hollow  red  flames  here  and  there 
twinkled  amid  the  darkness. 

"Here  is  our  meeting-place.  We  are  just  in  time," 
said  Broda,  and  began  carefully  descending  a  path  which 
turned  and  twisted  like  a  snake. 

Nearly  two  hundred  people  were  gathered  on  a  little 
meadow  in  the  hollow's  depths.  They  were  of  various 
aspects  and  ages,  and  of  both  sexes.  Most  of  them  were 
peasants,  but  there  were  nobles  and  craftsmen  among 
them.  On  all  faces  could  be  read  the  solemn  influence 
of  the  moment. 

An  altar  had  been  arranged  upon  a  large  elevated  stone, 
and  a  number  of  torches  lit  up  the  big  silver  cross,  the 
Bible  in  its  gilded  cover,  and  the  tall  figure  of  the  old 
58 


THE     TOECH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

priest.  His  thin  face  wore  an  inspired  expression,  and 
his  eyes  shone  with  fervor. 

Vok  and  Broda  made  their  way  through  the  crowd  and 
fell  on  their  knees  to  the  right  of  the  altar. 

"Sad  times  have  fallen  upon  us,  my  brethren,"  the 
preacher  was  saying ;  and  his  deep,  sonorous,  impressive 
voice  resounded  through  the  valley.  "A  heavy  load  op- 
presses us,  for  the  true  sons  of  Christ  must  perforce 
gather  like  thieves  in  the  night  to  celebrate  the  holy  sacra- 
ments. But  let  us  not  lose  heart!  The  earlier  Chris- 
tians suffered  more  than  we.  They  too  gathered  in  secret, 
underground  places,  hiding  from  the  wrath  of  impious 
heathens.  "We  flee  the  wrath  of  the  thrice-crowned, 
double-visaged  Antichrist,  who,  like  a  rotten  apple,  hath 
fallen  apart,  one  half  being  enthroned  in  Rome,  the  other 
in  Avignon.  And  the  heathens,  swollen  with  pride  and 
swayed  by  passions,  have  dared  to  conceal  the  truths  of 
the  Gospel  behind  their  own  conceits.  "When  did  the 
Savior  say  that  His  "Word  should  be  preached  in  a  tongue 
unknown  to  the  hearers?  Yet  we  are  tied  to  the  Latin 
mass,  and  they  would  affirm  that  the  Bohemian  tongue 
is  not  worthy  to  be  spoken  in  presence  of  the  altar.  Are 
not  all  tongues  and  nations  equal  before  the  Lord  ?  .  .  . 

"But  that  is  nothing  to  the  audacious  sacrilege  of  their 
attempt  upon  the  most  holy  of  all  the  sacraments — the 
Holy  Eucharist — by  which  they  dare  to  separate  that 
which  Christ  united  forever.  Breaking  the  bread  He 
said,  'Take  ye  and  eat;  this  is  My  body';  and  He  gave 
them  the  cup  with  these  words,  'Take  ye  and  drink,  all 

59 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

of  ye,  for  this  is  My  blood  of  the  New  Testament.' 
Against  these  words  of  Christ  as  against  a  rock  should 
be  shattered  all  the  vain  babble,  all  the  idle  controversies 
of  man.  But  unhappily  it  is  not  so.  Some  through 
weakness  and  ignorance,  others  through  baseness  and 
vanity,  allow  themselves  to  be  deprived  of  such  a  price- 
less blessing  as  the  chalice,  that  receptacle  of  the  blood  of 
Christ,  that  inexhaustible  source  of  spiritual  welfare,  of 
health  to  body  and  soul.  We  will  be  faithful  to  Christ 's 
commandments;  and  no  misusage  shall  prevent  us  from 
gathering  to  pray  after  the  manner  of  our  fathers!  ..." 

An  approving  murmur  greeted  the  words  of  the 
preacher.  The  service  was  brought  to  a  conclusion,  and 
the  priest  began  to  give  the  communion  in  both  kinds, 
the  worshipers  passing  in  turn  before  the  chalice,  calmly 
and  ecstatically  observing  the  dictates  of  the  Eastern 
faith.  The  picture,  illuminated  only  by  the  light  of  the 
torches,  was  inexpressibly  solemn,  and  seemed  as  though 
impregnated  with  something  mystical. 

Vok  was  infected  by  the  bearing  of  the  rest  and  of  their 
religious  exaltation,  especially  impressive  to  his  ardent 
young  soul.  Trembling  with  emotion  he  approached  the 
altar,  and  for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  partook  of  the  body 
and  blood  of  Christ. 

The  communion  ended,  the  altar  and  the  other  holy 
objects  were  hidden  away.  Bonfires  were  lighted.  The 
worshipers  mingled  together  and  sat  down  upon  the  grass. 
Roast  meat,  wine,  and  bread  were  produced  from  a  great 
basket,  and  a  brotherly  feast  commenced. 
60 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

When  their  first  hunger  was  satisfied,  and  when  the 
wine-cups  had  circulated  freely,  Broda  arose,  and  all  eyes 
turned  towards  him. 

"Friends  and  brothers  in  Christ!"  he  said.  "Our 
revered  Father  Nicholas  has  just  fortified  our  souls  by 
communion  and  by  the  wisdom  of  his  words.  Let  an  old 
soldier  put  before  you  some  thoughts  which  have  been 
given  rise  to  by  the  experiences  of  a  long  life,  and  by  the 
sermon  we  have  just  been  hearing.  It  is  true  that  we,  like 
thieves,  gather  secretly  to  worship  God,  which  every 
Christian  should  be  free  to  do  in  the  light  of  day.  And 
why?  What  people  are  the  cause  of  this  unjust  oppres- 
sion ?  The  foreigners !  The  Italian  Pope  and  his  devil- 
ish abettors  the  Germans!  When  the  Emperor  Charles 
still  reigned  the  chalice  was  offered,  unopposed,  to  the 
faithful.  The  Emperor  and  Empress  at  their  coronation 
communicated  in  both  kinds.  And  now?  Since  the  uni- 
versity was  opened  the  foreigners  have  assumed  such 
power  that  the  Germans  have  placed  their  feet  upon  our 
heads  and  have  forced  us  even  to  deny  the  teachings  of 
Christ.  Who  are  they  who  with  most  strength  and  obsti- 
nacy stand  for  that  sacrilegious  innovation — communion 
by  bread  alone?  The  German  professors  and  students 
who  drive  us  from  the  university,  as  the  burghers  drive 
us  from  the  towns,  and  the  settlers  from  the  soil.  Is  that 
not  the  height  of  effrontery  ?  Has  not  the  time  yet  risen 
to  place  limits  to  the  humiliation  of  our  nation?  Yes, 
my  friends  and  brethren!  I  feel  that  the  day  of  the 
decisive  struggle  is  rapidly  approaching,  and  each  of  us 

61 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

must  be  prepared  for  ruthless  warfare,  since  peace  be- 
tween us  and  the  Germans  means — our  ruin !  Our  enemy 
is  a  terrible  enemy.  He  welcomes  any  means  for  our  de- 
struction. Neither  conscience,  nor  honor,  nor  humanity 
can  stay  him.  Violence,  perfidy,  villainy  and  deceit — all 
are  fit  weapons  to  be  used  against  us.  But  one  thing  he 
has  forgotten — that  we  are  those  same  Bohemians  from 
whom  great  heroes  have  sprung,  such  as  Zabo  of  won- 
drous valor  and  the  doughty  Benik  Germanovitch.  He 
has  forgotten  that  on  the  day  when  our  country  awakens 
she  will  crush  the  German  serpent  beneath  her  heel.  Let 
us  prepare  fighters  and  leaders  for  that  day,  my  brothers. 
Let  us  each  work  as  best  he  can;  to  sustain  those  who 
falter ;  to  uphold  those  who  are  striving  for  our  country, 
our  customs,  and  our  tongue;  who  seek  to  win  for  us 
our  rightful  place  of  habitation. 

"The  aim  is  worth  the  struggle.  Bohemia  for  the 
Bohemians,  the  free  and  happy  life  of  ancient  times  under 
the  protection  of  our  ancient  laws — and  the  expulsion  of 
the  foreigners!" 

Broda  was  filled  with  animation.  His  eyes  flashed  with 
zeal  and  courage,  and  his  powerful  hand  clutched  at  the 
dagger  in  his  belt. 

With  his  broad,  mighty  figure,  his  strong  face  eloquent 
of  firmness  and  intelligence,  he  seemed  in  the  reddish 
light  of  the  fires  and  torches  like  an  incarnation  of  those 
legendary  heroes  whose  names  he  had  mentioned,  like  an 
impersonation  of  that  patient,  heroic  Bohemian  nation 
which  twelve  centuries  of  incessant  struggle  has  failed  to 
62 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

subdue,  which  till  to-day  stands  like  a  valiant,  faithful 
sentry  at  the  gates  of  Slavdom. 

Those  listening  to  his  words  were  conscious  of  the  warm 
access  of  love  for  their  fatherland  and  faith  in  its  destiny 
which  emanated  from  this  future  soldier  of  Zizka's  army. 
From  all  lips,  even  those  of  women,  burst  forth  the  simul- 
taneous cry : 

"Long  live  Bohemia!    Death  to  the  Germans!" 

Then  the  old  priest  arose  and  raising  his  hand  for 
silence,  admonished  the  company. 

"Nothing  can  be  accomplished,  my  brethren,  without 
the  help  of  God!  Let  us  not  pray  to  our  Heavenly 
Father  for  the  death  of  the  sinners,  but  for  their  removal, 
remembering  the  words  of  the  Lord:  'Vengeance  is 
Mine,  and  I  will  repay ! '  ' 

He  sank  upon  his  knees  and  chanted  a  prayer  which 
the  rest  repeated  after  him  in  chorus : 

"King  of  Heaven!  Hear  us,  Thy  people!  Incline 
unto  us  and  send  unto  our  days  prosperity!" 

After  the  prayer  another  meeting  for  the  following 
spring  was  arranged.  Then  those  present  swore  one  to 
another  to  maintain  an  indefatigable  struggle  against  the 
enemy,  and  after  some  further  time  spent  in  conversation 
the  meeting  silently  dispersed. 

All  this  produced  an  overwhelming  effect  upon  Vok's 
impressionable  nature.  For  a  long  time  he  rode  in  silent 
thought  by  Broda's  side.  Then,  suddenly  seizing  his 
hand  and  bending  towards  him  in  the  saddle,  he  whis- 
pered passionately: 

63 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Broda,  I  too  will  work  for  the  delivery  of  our  coun- 
try, and  for  the  preservation  of  Christ's  Word!" 

"I  believe  thee,  sir,  and  will  rely  upon  thy  promise! 
Let  but  all  rich  and  powerful  people  such  as  thou  unite 
with  us  and  we  shall  triumph.  .  .  .  But  remember  one 
thing :  all  that  thou  seest  and  hearest  must  be  kept  in  un- 
broken secrecy.  And  now  at  dawn  we  must  indeed  go 
hunting  so  as  not  to  return  home  empty-handed,  and 
thereby  awake  suspicion." 


VII 

RUGENA  little  by  little  grew  accustomed  to  her  new  sur- 
roundings. The  Count  and  his  wife  tried  by  every 
means  within  their  power  to  attach  the  child  to  them, 
indulging  her,  and  giving  in  to  her  slightest  caprice ;  and 
as  consequence  of  such  kind  treatment  there  was  soon 
established  a  good  understanding  between  Rugena  and 
her  gay,  kind-hearted  guardian.  But  the  little  girl  still 
maintained  her  antipathy  for  the  Countess  in  spite  of  all 
that  lady's  amiability.  Nothing  could  conquer  Rugena's 
instinctive  dislike  of  her  aunt.  Vok  was  also  kind  and 
attentive  to  his  little  betrothed,  in  whose  budding  beauty 
he  even  took  some  pride.  The  considerable  difference  in 
their  ages,  however,  prevented  at  that  time  any  real  at- 
tachment between  them ;  besides  which  the  lively  and  en- 
terprising nature  of  the  youth  frequently  drove  him 
forth  from  the  dull  and  monotonous  life  of  his  father's 
house,  and  kept  him  absent  for  weeks,  even  months  at  a 
time. 

Rugena's  inseparable  companion  and  best-loved  friend 
was  Svietomir.  His  life  had  changed  considerably  since 
the  arrival  of  the  little  lady,  whose  protection  proved  to 
be  more  powerful  and  efficient  than  that  of  Vok. 

Rugena,  with  her  fine  and  penetrating  intelligence,  at 

65 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

once  became  aware  that  her  guardians  were  endeavoring 
to  please  and  attract  her ;  and  as  the  Count  was  still  more 
indulgent  to  her  than  his  wife  she  asked  him  that  Svieto- 
mir  might  sit  next  to  her  at  table.  If  at  any  time  he 
were  absent  from  his  place  she  would  touch  nothing. 
With  no  less  obstinacy  she  insisted  that  he  should  be 
allowed  to  play  with  her  as  soon  as  he  had  finished  his 
lessons;  and  the  first  time  Father  Ilarius  dared  to  use 
the  rod  to  him  Rugena  sobbed  so  bitterly  and  was  so  dis- 
tracted that  the  Countess  implored  her  confessor  to  be 
more  careful  in  his  behavior  towards  his  pupil,  and  not 
to  cause  dissension  between  her  and  her  future  daughter- 
in-law  about  such  a  trifle  as  the  teaching  of  "that  block- 
head" Svietomir. 

So  life  ran  on  comparatively  peacefully  at  Castle  Wald- 
stein,  but  without  its  walls  political  events  of  the  greatest 
importance  were  occurring,  which  bathed  Bohemia  in 
blood  and  plunged  her  into  all  the  horrors  of  civil  war- 
fare. 

A  few  months  after  Rugena 's  arrival  the  Count  de- 
parted to  the  court  of  King  Venceslas,  who  was  then 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  his  brother,  Sigismund,  King  of 
Hungary. 

This  perfidious  and  dishonest  man  had  all  his  life  cast 
envious  eyes  upon  the  inheritance  of  King  Venceslas. 
He  had  in  every  possible  way  abused  his  brother's  trust, 
and  hoped  now  to  make  use  of  the  approaching  meeting 
to  conclude  finally  the  secret  agreement  he  had  made 
66 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

against  him  with  the  Austrian  lords  and  dukes.  Secur- 
ing the  King's  consent  to  his  appointment  as  viceroy, 
he  on  the  first  convenient  occasion  confined  Venceslas 
within  his  own  court.  The  two  following  years  were 
years  of  tumult  and  ceaseless  warfare.  Sigismund 
crushed  the  country  beneath  a  load  of  taxes,  and  delivered 
it  over  to  hordes  of  inimical  Magyars  by  whose  inroads 
Bohemia  was  despoiled  by  fire  and  plunder  like  a  con- 
quered land. 

Sigismund 's  behavior  filled  the  people  with  dismay,  and 
arrayed  upon  the  side  of  Venceslas  a  considerable  number 
of  the  nobility.  The  occupation  of  Kutna  Hora,  from 
which  place  Sigismund  stole  his  brother's  treasure  and 
extorted  a  pitiless  redemption,  still  more  augmented  the 
universal  indignation. 

"Waldstein  took  an  active  part  in  all  these  events,  and 
in  most  of  his  military  expeditions  he  was  accompanied  by 
his  son,  who  soon  distinguished  himself  by  his  great  cour- 
age in  battle.  It  seemed  indeed  that  Vok's  hot,  impulsive 
nature  had  been  especially  created  for  a  life  of  warfare. 
Their  own  castle  was  provided  with  a  garrison  and  stocked 
with  provisions,  while  Broda  was  appointed  principal 
commander  and  supervisor,  since  it  was  possible  to  place 
full  confidence  in  his  fidelity  and  experience.  Only  at 
times,  therefore,  did  the  Count  himself  return  home  for  a 
few  days  to  see  his  family,  inspect  the  guard,  and  give 
certain  necessary  orders. 

On  one  of  these  visits  he  brought  with  him  a  little  girl 
a  year  or  two  older  than  Rugena,  whom  he  designed  as  a 

67 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

companion  for  her.  The  child 's  name  was  Anna,  and  she 
was  the  sister  of  a  young  Bohemian  noble,  John  Zizka  of 
Trocnov,  an  adherent  to  the  King's  party,  and  long  a 
sworn  enemy  of  Heinrich  Rosenberg. 


68 


VIII 

IT  was  the  25th  of  December,  1408,  and  Christmas  was  be- 
ing celebrated  in  the  city  of  Prague.  The  whole  town 
was  in  movement.  In  the  squares,  in  hastily  erected 
wooden  booths,  tradesmen  were  briskly  selling  their 
wares :  toys,  cakes,  sweetmeats,  various  holy  objects,  and 
so  on. 

Wandering  acrobats  were  exhibiting  their  strength  and 
agility;  fortune-tellers  mingled  with  the  crowds;  while 
some  sort  of  wizard,  balancing  himself  upon  a  wagon,  pro- 
claimed for  sale  various  secrets  for  imparting  beauty, 
charms  for  awakening  love,  pomades  warranted  to  restore 
gray  hair  to  its  original  color,  infusions  warranted  to  cure 
all  disorders,  and  charmed  money  warranted  to  bring 
good  trade.  The  merry,  laughing,  jostling  crowd  was 
consuming  the  sweetmeats,  listening  to  the  prophecies, 
and  buying  all  sorts  of  drugs  and  talismans.  Neverthe- 
less, an  observant  spectator  would  have  noticed  that  the 
gaiety  and  carelessness  of  the  crowd  was  rather  assumed 
than  real,  save  perhaps  in  the  women  and  children. 

Men 'were  gathered  in  groups  loudly  discussing,  in 
Bohemian  or  in  German,  various  questions  relating  to 
Pope  Gregory  XII,  the  King,  John  Hus,  the  council  at 
Pisa,  and  the  distribution  of  votes  according  to  nation- 
alities in  the  University.  It  must  be  remarked  that  the 

69 


THE     TOECH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

Germans  and  Bohemians  gathered  separately,  and  that 
the  inimical  glances  and  provocative  remarks  which  they 
exchanged  boded  no  good. 

Two  men  in  dark  cloaks  were  walking  silently  across  the 
great  square  in  the  new  town,  mixing  with  none  of  the 
chattering  groups.  One  of  these  was  Broda,  the  teacher 
of  knightly  accomplishments  at  the  castle  of  Count  Wald- 
stein. 

The  passage  of  the  years  seemed  at  first  to  have  left  no 
traces  upon  him:  his  tall  and  mighty  figure  was  just  as 
straight  and  supple ;  he  betrayed  the  same  calm  faith  in 
his  gigantic  strength  and  vigorous  health ;  his  keen  eyes 
had  not  lost  their  fire,  and  looked  sternly  out  from  be- 
neath their  overhanging  brows.  Only  the  silver  threads 
among  his  hair,  and  the  wrinkles  at  the  corners  of  his  eyes 
gave  hint  that  he  too  must  at  length  succumb  to  the 
ravages  of  time. 

Broda 's  companion  was  a  young  man  of  about  twenty, 
tall  and  slight.  His  face  was  pale  and  tender-hued  as 
that  of  a  girl,  his  features  were  regular,  and  his  head  was 
covered  with  thick,  fair  hair.  His  mild  gray  eyes  shone 
with  intelligence.  At  that  moment  a  look  of  sadness  was 
clouding  his  gaze,  and  there  was  an  expression  of  discon- 
tent upon  his  red,  delicately  chiseled  lips. 

The  couple  reached  the  corner  of  the  square,  lost  in 
silent  thought.  Near  by  stood  an  eating-house,  and 
through  the  wide-open  door  could  be  seen  a  big  room 
set  out  with  benches  and  tables.  At  the  further  end  of 
the  room  was  a  counter  covered  with  bottles  and  tankards. 
70 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Joints  of  meat  and  various  kinds  of  game  hung  roasting 
upon  spits  in  front  of  the  enormous  hearth,  and  the  warm, 
appetizing  smell  penetrated  even  into  the  street.  Broda 
stopped,  inhaling  the  tempting  odor,  and  said,  turning  to 
his  companion : 

"Let  us  enter,  Svietomir!  We'll  eat  some  goose  and 
drink  a  glass  of  wine !  Thou  hast  eaten  nothing  to-day, 
and  that  is  not  right.  Devil  take  it,  thou  art  not  yet  a 
monk!  Right  thinking  comes  not  from  an  empty 
stomach." 

The  young  man  glanced  into  the  room,  and,  as  though 
to  dispel  unwelcome  thoughts,  passed  his  hand  across  his 
face. 

"Come  then,"  he  said;  "only  the  place  is  filled  with 
Germans,  and  they  are  most  likely  drunk." 

* '  Why,  heed  them  not !  Shall  we  incommode  ourselves, 
forsooth,  fearing  to  disturb  them?"  asked  Broda,  de- 
risively. As  he  spoke  he  entered  the  eating-house. 

The  room  was  filled  to  overflowing,  and  nearly  all  the 
tables  were  occupied  by  Germans — monks,  burghers,  and 
students.  Only  at  the  far  end,  near  the  fireplace,  one  or 
two  groups  of  Bohemians  sat  and  conversed,  almost  in 
whispers.  They  were  for  the  most  part  tradesmen  or 
workers.  Broda  and  Svietomir  took  places  at  a  table 
already  occupied  by  two — a  student  and  a  fat  merchant. 
These  glanced  askance  at  the  new-comers,  and  then  con- 
tinued talking  loudly  with  others  at  a  neighboring  table. 

They  were  discussing,  in  German,  the  burning  topics  of 
the  day :  the  dissensions  between  the  rival  Popes,  to  which 

71 


THE     TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  congress  of  cardinals  in  Pisa  was  to  have  put  an  end, 
and  the  distribution  of  votes  at  the  University.  The 
student  was  relating  how  a  few  days  previously  the 
rector,  Heinrich  von  Baltenhagen,  had  summoned  a  great 
conference  at  which  representatives  of  the  archbishop 
had  assisted,  and  how,  after  an  animated  debate  and  a 
splendid  speech  from  Master  Gubner,  the  majority  had 
decided  that  the  University  and  the  priesthood  should 
remain  faithful  to  Pope  Gregory  XII. 

"A  just  and  wise  decision!  Christians  cannot  make 
sport  of  conscience  according  to  the  demands  of  the  mo- 
ment, and  cast  a  Pope  away  as  though  he  were  an  apple 
and  not  the  head  of  the  Christian  Church,"  shouted  the 
richly-clad,  red-faced  burgher. 

"Aye,  thou  art  right,  Gotthold!  "We  all  will  remain 
loyal  to  Pope  Gregory  XII.  After  the  decision  of  so 
august  an  assembly  the  King  will  never  yield  to  the 
slanders  of  the  Wycliffites  and  grant  his  approval  to  the 
cardinals,"  added  another  German. 

"Let  us  hope  so!  And  indeed  it  were  time  that  a 
check  were  put  to  the  shameless  intrigues  of  these  sec- 
tarians. Thanks  to  them  Bohemia  has  been  suspected  of 
heresy  and  put  to  shame  in  the  face  of  the  Christian 
world, ' '  said  the  first  burgher ;  and  added  some  offensive 
words  concerning  the  Bohemian  national  party,  and  its 
attempts  to  uphold  the  rights  of  its  people. 

"They  will  achieve  nothing,  for  we  are  the  head  and 
hands  of  the  country !  What  would  these  stupid  savages 
be  without  us?  They  would  wallow  in  their  ignorance 
72 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

like  cattle  had  not  we  Germans  blessed  them  with  our 
science  and  commerce,  our  laws  and  customs,  which  have 
made  them  into  human  beings!"  said  the  student  boast- 
fully. 

With  a  side-glance  at  Svietomir,  whose  face  had  flushed 
and  paled  alternately  at  his  insolent  words,  he  continued 
in  a  mocking  tone : 

"I  repeat,  they  will  achieve  nothing,  for  we  are  a  mas- 
ter race,  created  to  command  the  lower  races.  But  in 
order  to  avoid  useless  worry,  and  to  put  an  end  once  for 
all  to  their  ridiculous  pretensions  it  were  better  to  cut  out 
the  tongues  of  such  dangerous  chatterboxes  as  'John  Hus 
and  Jerome.  They  preach  not  piety,  but  set  hatred 
alight.  They  fling  themselves  like  dogs  upon  the  higher 
spiritual  dignitaries,  and  rejoice  that  they  can  spread 
their  filth  before  the  bootmakers  and  swineherds  and 
suchlike  trash  who  are  ready  to  listen  to  them." 

Broda  appeared  not  to  pay  the  slightest  attention  to  the 
provocative  speeches  of  his  neighbor,  but  attacked  his 
slice  of  goose  with  appetite,  drinking  his  wine,  and  only 
bestowing  a  passing  glance  from  time  to  time  at  the  fat 
burgher,  whose  red,  greasy  face  shone  with  conceit.  But 
at  the  name  of  Hus  he  pushed  his  plate  away,  and  turning 
to  the  German  struck  his  fist  upon  the  table  with  the 
words: 

"Enough  of  this!  I  would  counsel  you  to  leave  the 
preacher  of  the  Bethlehem  chapel  in  peace !  "Who  should 
be  a  scourge  of  vice  if  not  he — the  model  of  all  Christian 
virtues?" 

73 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"What  has  it  to  do  with  thee,  blockhead?"  the  student 
interrupted  indignantly.  "Thy  model  of  virtues  is  a 
heretic,  whom  the  King  will  burn  alive  one  of  these  fine 
days,  as  he  hath  lately  promised.  Now,  the  dog  is  sick  of 
fright,  and  will  die  of  it,  they  say." 

"  'Tis  not  worth  thy  heat,  Gotthold!  What  have  we 
to  do  with  this  Bohemian  vagabond?"  the  fat  burgher 
remarked  with  a  disdainful  laugh.  "He  is  belike  one  of 
Hus's  swineherds  of  whom  thou  hast  just  spoken." 

"  'Tis  true,  thou  German  drunkard!"  roared  Broda. 
"I  am  a  swineherd,  and  this  is  how  I  deal  with  foreign 
swine  when  they  dare  fall  upon  my  herd." 

He  rose  threateningly  to  his  full  height,  and  in  an  in- 
stant, before  anybody  knew  what  was  happening,  he  was 
at  the  German's  elbow.  Clutching  him  with  one  hand 
by  the  belt  and  with  the  other  by  his  collar  he  lifted  him 
like  a  child  into  the  air  and  flung  him  from  the  room. 
The  German  flew  over  the  tables  like  a  stone  from  a  cata- 
pult, and  crashed  upon  the  pavement  without,  overturn- 
ing several  of  the  passers-by. 

A  commotion  arose  in  the  street,  but  within  the  room, 
for  the  first  few  moments,  deathlike  silence  reigned. 
Then  the  Germans  rose  in  a  body,  with  furious  cries  and 
oaths.  Weapons  gleamed  in  their  hands  and  jugs  and 
tankards  flashed  above  their  heads,  despite  the  heated 
protests  of  the  host. 

At  that  moment  the  burgher  who  had  been  flung  out 
appeared  in  the  doorway,  and  foaming  at  the  mouth  with 
rage  rushed  like  a  madman  upon  Broda.  But  the  latter, 
74 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

who,  like  Svietomir,  had  drawn  his  sword,  repulsed  the 
attackers  with  the  greatest  composure.  The  other  Bo- 
hemians present  joined  them,  and  a  general  scrimmage 
began.  The  terrible  cries  and  noise,  and  the  sound  of 
breaking  crockery,  tables,  and  benches  soon  gathered  a 
crowd  about  the  outer  door.  The  spectators  also,  with 
words  if  not  with  deeds,  took  a  lively  part  in  the  pro- 
ceedings. 

Broda  and  Svietomir  with  the  aid  of  their  weapons 
fought  their  way  to  the  door,  and  had  scarcely  emerged 
into  the  street  when  a  detachment  of  the  guards,  sum- 
moned by  one  of  the  townsmen,  appeared  upon  the  field 
of  battle.  But  the  majority  of  the  spectators  were  upon 
the  side  of  Broda,  the  fame  of  whose  deed  had  spread 
from  mouth  to  mouth ;  and  the  crowd  made  way  for  him 
and  his  companion,  protecting  them  like  a  wall. 

They  had  succeeded  in  escaping  down  a  side-street  long 
before  the  guard  had  been  made  to  understand  what  had 
occurred. 

"A  sound  lesson  thou  gavest  that  German  braggart!" 
said  Svietomir,  laughing,  as  he  walked  behind  Broda  in 
the  narrow  lane. 

"Now  that  he  has  flattened  his  nose  upon  the  pavement 
he  will  not  carry  it  so  high!  Come,  to  Zizka's.  I  must 
needs  tell  him  of  our  adventure.  He  will  be  mightily 
diverted,"  said  Broda,  merrily. 

They  crossed  the  famous  bridge  built  by  Charles  IV 
across  the  Moldau,  and  turned  into  a  deserted  winding 
by-street  in  the  old  town. 

75 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

It  was  already  night  when  they  stopped  at  the  door 
of  a  poor-looking  house,  and  they  were  obliged  to  grope 
their  way  up  the  narrow  crooked  staircase.  At  length 
they  knocked  at  a  door  from  beneath  which  a  ray  of  light 
could  be  observed. 

The  room  was  spacious,  but  simply  furnished.  A  large 
bed  with  bright-colored  curtains  stood  against  the  wall, 
and  at  a  table  in  the  middle  of  the  room  upon  which  an 
oil  lamp  was  burning,  three  people  sat.  They  were  an 
old  woman,  as  clean  as  an  apple;  a  little  girl  who  was 
playing  with  a  wooden  sheep ;  and  a  young  man  of  about 
thirty  with  a  clever,  courageous  face.  His  dark  eyes 
shone  forth  sternly  from  beneath  thick  brows.  One  felt 
an  exuberance  of  hidden  force  in  him,  and  his  whole 
appearance  was  expressive  of  inherent  austerity,  curi- 
ously mingled  with  nobility,  and  even  magnanimity. 

Zizka,  for  this  was  Zizka,  was  dressed — as  was  Broda — 
after  the  Polish  manner.  He  was  sitting,  writing ;  but  at 
the  entrance  of  the  guests  he  rose  to  greet  them,  and 
turning  to  the  old  woman  who  was  shaking  hands  with 
them,  said: 

"Take  the  child  away,  dear  aunt,  and  bring  us  some 
wine." 

"Thy  little  child  is  lovely  and  well-grown,"  observed 
Broda  as  they  took  their  seats  around  the  table. 

"She  remarkably  resembles  my  departed  wife,  and  my 
aunt  cherishes  her  as  though  she  were  her  daughter," 
said  Zizka,  pouring  wine  into  the  brass  wine-cups  which 
the  old  woman  had  brought. 
76 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Broda  began  relating  the  incident  in  the  eating-house 
in  a  voice  which,  though  contented,  at  times  grew  angry. 
Zizka  in  his  turn  described  a  courageous  attack  against 
Rosenberg  which  he  had  carried  out  some  months  before, 
when,  at  the  head  of  his  doughty  comrades,  he  had  devas- 
tated the  property  of  his  all-mighty  enemy,  and  extorted 
a  ransom  from  him. 

Svietomir  took  no  part  in  the  conversation,  and  fell 
again  into  a  fit  of  gloomy  abstraction,  seeing  and  hearing 
nothing. 

"What  is  amiss  with  Svietomir?  He  seems  so  strange 
to-night,"  Zizka  remarked,  observing  him  attentively. 

' '  The  poor  youth  received  sad  news  yesterday  evening, 
and  I  know  not  how  to  help  him, ' '  answered  Broda  with 
a  sigh.  "Thus  it  is:  thou  knowest  that  the  Countess 
Waldstein — the  devil  knows  wherefore — has  bethought 
herself  to  make  Svietomir  a  priest,  notwithstanding  his 
loathing  for  the  sacred  calling.  Thinking  he  had  two 
years  before  him  we  were  quite  at  ease,  when  yesterday, 
of  a  sudden,  came  a  command  to  him  to  repair  straight- 
way to  the  Brevnovsk  Monastery,  there  to  become  a 
novice.  Had  they  but  caused  him  to  enter  the  secular 
priesthood  one  could  have  bought  a  parish  for  him  and 
so  assured  his  future.  But  to  make  a  monk  of 
him!  .  .  ." 

"I  desire  neither  the  one  nor  the  other!  I  will  cast 
myself  into  the  Moldau  rather  than  let  them  shave  me ! ' ' 
Svietomir  said  firmly,  his  voice  trembling  with  agitation. 

"Well,  well,  if  thou  so  little  valuest  thy  life  then  lay  it 

77 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

down  for  something  high  and  useful,"  said  Zizka.  "A 
thought  hath  entered  my  head.  In  a  few  days  I  go  to 
Cracow,  where  I  have  friends  among  the  Polish  nobles. 
Come  thou  with  me  and  enter  the  service  of  King 
Veadiglao!  Young  warriors  are  everywhere  and  at  all 
times  gladly  welcomed,  and  I  think  I  can  help  thee  on 
this  path  and  gain  for  thee  favor  of  the  highest  nobles. 
What  dost  thou  say  to  that?" 

Svietomir's  face  shone  with  joy. 

"With  all  my  heart!"  he  cried  gladly,  stretching  out 
both  hands  to  Zizka.  "Take  me  with  thee,  John,  and  I 
swear  I  will  put  thee  to  no  shame!  I  am  ready  in  all 
honesty  to  fight  and  die  for  the  King.  And  I  shall  be 
free,  and  enabled  to  cast  off  the  yoke  they  would  hang 
about  my  neck  in  exchange  for  shelter  and  a  crust  of 
bread." 

Zizka  warmly  returned  his  grasp. 

"Our  hands  upon  it,  then!  For  the  present  seem  to 
submit;  and  later  thou  shalt  set  forth  upon  the  road  to 
Cracow  instead  of  that  which  leads  to  Grevnov.  So 
here's  to  the  sword  instead  of  the  tonsure." 

"To  the  sword!"  cried  Svietomir,  joyfully  toasting 
him. 

And  then,  having  arranged  a  few  more  details  of  this 
project  so  unexpectedly  arisen,  the  friends  separated. 

After  many  years  of  emptiness  and  solitude  the  ancient 
castle  of  Rabstein  had  again  received  its  young  mistress 
beneath  its  roof.  It  was  six  months  since  Rugena,  with 
78 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

her  friend  Anna  and  her  devoted  servants  Itka  and 
Matthias,  had  taken  up  her  abode  again  in  the  home  of 
her  fathers.  She  lived  in  complete  solitude,  rarely  quit- 
ting the  castle  and  receiving  nobody. 

During  all  the  preceding  years  she  had  lived  in  Wald- 
stein  Castle,  with  the  exception  of  two  winters  she  had 
passed  with  her  guardians  in  Prague. 

Countess  Waldstein,  absorbed  in  her  extreme  piety, 
and  exceedingly  economical,  held  aloof  from  society.  She 
was,  besides,  anxious  that  Rugena  should  not  make  her 
appearance  in  the  world  until  she  was  safely  married. 
The  Countess  feared,  not  without  cause,  that  the  rich  and 
lovely  heiress  would  attract  admirers  who  might  be  dan- 
gerous rivals  to  Yok.  She  even  regarded  the  childish 
attachment  between  Rugena  and  Svietomir  with  sus- 
picion, and  did  not  rest  until  the  latter  was  despatched 
to  Prague,  there  to  enter  the  University. 

Rugena  was  greatly  grieved  at  the  separation  from  the 
friend  of  her  childhood,  and  her  dejection  was  still  fur- 
ther increased  by  the  indisposition  occasioned  by  a  bad 
chill  she  had  caught  at  a  hunt  to  which  she  had  been 
taken  for  distraction. 

A  few  months  after  Svietomir 's  departure  she  became 
so  seriously  ill  that  fears  were  even  entertained  for  her 
life. 

Although  she  recovered  from  this  illness  her  health  was 
impaired,  and  the  doctor  insisted  that  her  marriage  should 
be  delayed  for  a  year  or  two.  At  this  time  they  were 
awaiting  the  return  of  Vok  from  France,  whither  he  had 

79 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

gone  to  amuse  and  disport  himself;  when  the  Countess 
suddenly  received  the  unexpected  news  of  her  inheritance 
in  Italy,  and  decided  to  hasten  there  without  delay.  She 
wished  to  take  Rugena  with  her,  but  the  young  girl  did 
not  like  the  plan. 

At  their  first  meeting  the  Countess  had  produced  a 
disagreeable  impression  upon  her,  and  neither  time,  nor 
the  caresses  and  attention  of  her  aunt  had  been  able  to 
conquer  the  instinctive  repulsion  she  felt  for  her.  Be- 
sides which  she  excessively  disliked  the  Countess 's  Italian 
relative  who  had  sometimes  visited  them  in  Bohemia; 
and  had  no  desire  to  suffer  this  lady's  hospitality  and 
society  for  several  months.  Therefore  she  declared  that 
she  would  like,  during  her  aunt's  absence,  to  return  to 
the  old  castle,  which  she  had  not  seen  since  her  father's 
death,  in  order  to  pray  by  his  grave  and  pass  the  last 
months  of  her  girlhood  in  solitude. 

Her  guardian  unhesitatingly  gave  his  consent.  The 
country  was  comparatively  peaceful  at  that  time,  the 
castle  was  strongly  fortified  and  provided  with  a  suffi- 
cient guard,  and  it  was  near  enough  to  Prague  for  the 
Count  to  visit  during  his  intervals  of  freedom  from 
service  upon  the  King.  With  the  deepest  joy,  therefore, 
Rugena  returned  to  the  spot  where  the  happiest  years 
of  her  life  had  been  passed,  where  every  object  reminded 
her  of  the  father  she  had  adored. 

One  bright,  though  cold  January  morning  the  friends 
were  sitting  together  in  the  room  which  had  formerly 
served  as  a  study  to  Baron  Rabstein. 
80 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Anna  was  diligently  at  work  upon  a  white  silk  altar- 
cloth  which  she  was  embroidering  with  vine-leaves  in 
different-colored  silks.  She  was  a  pretty  girl,  fresh  and 
blooming,  and  her  black  hair  was  twisted  into  two  heavy 
plaits  which  reached  her  knees.  Her  small  aquiline  nose 
and  her  mouth  with  its  expression  of  energy  slightly 
resembled  those  of  her  brother ;  but  her  large  dark  eyes, 
so  mild  and  joyful,  in  no  way  recalled  Zizka's  stern  and 
thoughtful  gaze. 

Rugena  was  doing  nothing.  She  sat,  reclining  against 
the  high  back  of  her  armchair,  gazing  thoughtfully 
through  the  window  at  the  widespread  winter  landscape. 
Near  her,  on  a  cushion,  lay  her  favorite  dog,  whose  head, 
as  she  thus  sat  dreaming,  Rugena  from  time  to  time 
mechanically  fondled. 

She  had  fulfilled  her  early  promise  of  great  beauty. 
She  was  a  radiant  and  lovely  girl,  tall  and  graceful,  with 
a  clear  pale  face,  large  dark-blue  eyes  of  extraordinary 
luster,  and  boldly  penciled  brows.  Her  hair  had  re- 
tained the  golden  tinge  of  childhood,  and  the  thick  plait 
gleamed  bright  against  the  dark-blue  material  of  her 
dress.  With  the  stately  grace  of  her  young  figure,  the 
smooth  rose-hued  skin  of  her  tender  face,  her  mass  of 
curls,  and  her  clear  bright  gaze,  she  resembled  one  of 
those  dream-like  ethereal  forms  the  creation  of  which 
was  the  triumph  of  the  brush  of  Fra  Angelico. 

Suddenly  Rugena 's  dreamy  gaze  became  alert,  and  she 
sat  up  in  her  chair. 

"Two  horse-riders  are  approaching  the  castle.  Look, 

81 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Anna,  who  can  they  be?"  she  asked,  gazing  fixedly 
through  the  window. 

Anna  pushed  aside  her  embroidery-frame  and  also 
approached  the  window. 

"They  are  far  still,  and  so  encumbered  with  their 
cloaks  that  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  them.  Maybe  thy 
betrothed  hath  sent  thee  a  letter  by  a  messenger." 

"I  doubt  that  Vok  would  spend  so  much  time  upon 
me,"  laughed  Rugena.  "He  is  at  the  Court  now,  and 
such  attention  would  assuredly  not  enter  his  mind.  But 
think  not  that  it  grieves  me  or  that  I  thirst  to  see  him 
or  have  news  of  him.  I  am  so  happy  here  that  I  should 
like  well  to  stay  here.  And,  thou,  Anna  ? ' ' 

"I  am  always  happy  with  thee,  and  'tis  my  fondest 
wish  never  to  part  from  thee,"  said  Anna,  tenderly  kiss- 
ing her  friend. 

The  horsemen  disappeared  through  the  entrance 
to  the  courtyard,  and  a  few  minutes  later  the  sound 
of  the  horn  at  the  gates  announced  the  approach  of 
guests. 

Though  both  girls  were  extremely  anxious  to  know  who 
had  arrived  they  awaited  the  announcement,  and  when 
a  little  page  ran  in  breathless  to  inform  his  mistress 
that  John  of  Trocnov  and  Svietomir  Kryshanov  were 
below  they  both  flew  to  meet  the  new-comers. 

Anna  flung  herself  upon  her  brother's  neck  and 
Rugena  was  about  to  do  the  same  with  Svietomir;  but 
the  three  years  of  separation  had  so  changed  her  friend 
that  she  stopped  short  in  confusion  and  at  length 
82 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

stretched  forth  her  hand,  which  the  youth  repeatedly 
pressed  to  his  lips. 

"Heavens,  how  pleased  am  I  to  see  thee!  I  have  so 
much  to  speak  of  and  to  hear  from  thee.  But  wait,  dear 
one,"  she  said  with  a  smile,  withdrawing  her  hand,  "I 
have  yet  to  greet  thy  companion.'* 

When  the  greetings  had  been  exchanged  Rugena 
turned  joyfully  to  her  friend,  with  the  words : 

"See  to  thy  brother,  Anna!  Order  that  rooms  be  at 
once  prepared  for  him  and  Svietomir,  and  that  food  be 
served  to  them  without  delay.  And  forget  not  to  make 
additions  to  our  supper.  Let  us  go  to  the  dining-hall. ' ' 

After  a  hearty  meal  the  young  hostesses  and  their 
guests  separated  in  pairs.  Anna  wished  to  speak  with 
her  brother  before  taking  leave  of  him,  and  Rugena  to 
question  Svietomir  on  many  things.  As  in  the  days  of 
their  childhood  she  led  him  to  her  room,  and  they  sat 
together  before  the  fire. 

The  first  impression  which  had  made  this  close  friend 
seem  a  stranger  to  her  little  by  little  died  away. 

Noticing  Svietomir 's  gaze  fixed  upon  her  with  un- 
concealed delight,  she  said  to  him  with  her  accustomed 
frankness : 

"Why  dost  thou  gaze  with  such  attention  at  me?" 

"I  cannot  refrain  from  admiring  thee.  My  God,  how 
lovely  thou  art,  Rugena !  Thou  art  so  like  an  angel  that 
I  look  for  thy  wings!" 

Rugena  burst  into  laughter. 

"Hast  thou  nothing  more  sensible  to  say  to  me?  But 

83 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

not  to  be  outdone  in  courtesy,  I  will  tell  thee  that  thou 
art  grown  and  improved  in  looks,  and  that  the  down  upon 
thy  lip  becomes  thee  mightily.  Now,  let  us  speak  of 
other  things!  Tell  me  how  thou  hast  chanced  hither 
with  John?" 

Svietomir  related  what  was  impelling  him  to  flee  to 
Poland. 

"And  I  profited  with  the  chance  to  say  farewell  to 
thee,  perhaps  forever.  For  who  knows  what  may  lie 
before  a  poor  soldier  ?  And  what  dost  thou  think  of  my 
plan?" 

During  his  recital  Rugena's  face,  in  spite  of  her  new 
self-control,  had  expressed  the  emotion  she  felt. 

"Why  speak  thus  of  eternal  separation!"  she  began, 
trying  to  speak  cheerfully.  "Cracow  is  not  at  the 
world 's  end,  and  not  all  perish  in  warfare.  I  am  firmly 
persuaded  that  we  shall  meet  again,  and  I  approve  thy 
decision.  'Tis  unworthy  to  be  a  priest  after  the  kind 
of  Father  Ilarius,  and  thou  wilt  never  make  a  second 
Father  John,  I  think." 

"True!  The  very  thought  of  debating  with  him 
seemeth  sacrilege  to  me!"  Svietomir  said,  warmly. 
"Master  John  is — a  saint,  whose  knowledge  is  equal  to 
his  virtue!  All  in  Prague  who  are  poor,  suffering,  or 
unfortunate  hasten  to  him.  And  for  all  he  has  help  and 
comfort.  The  Queen  reveres  him;  the  most  powerful 
honor  and  respect  him— and  thinkest  thou  that  he  is 
proud  of  this?  In  no  wise!  He  is  mild  and  humble, 
accessible  to  all,  and  useth  rich  and  poor  alike.  And 
84 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

what  a  preacher!  His  words  kindle  and  inspire  the 
soul;  one's  conscience  trembles  in  listening  to  him,  one 
is  ashamed  of  one's  spiritual  poverty;  one  resolves  with, 
all  one's  strength  to  rise  to  better  things.  And  when  he 
begins  to  thunder  against  the  vice  of  men,  without  dis- 
tinction of  rank,  Holy  Savior!  it  seems  as  if  Michael 
the  Archangel  himself  were  making  ready  to  smite  the 
fiends !  Broda  and  I  have  not  missed  one  of  his  sermons. 
The  Queen  herself  often  visits  the  Bethlehem  Chapel." 

"I  love  and  honor  Master  John  with  all  my  heart. 
During  the  two  winters  we  spent  in  Prague  he  schooled 
me  in  faith  and  gave  me  my  first  communion.  Vok  and 
my  guardian  revere  him  highly,  and  pronounce  him  Bo- 
hemia's good  genius." 

"Undoubtedly  he  is  that!  He  knows  how  to  awaken 
love  for  the  Fatherland  in  the  soul!  Now  too,  he  is  at 
work  to  improve  Bohemian  orthography,  that  our  tongue 
may  be  as  pure  and  pliant  as  the  Latin,  and  that  the 
Germans  may  no  longer  term  it  the  jargon  of  savages." 

Having  chanced  upon  this  subject  Svietomir  described 
the  whole  course  of  the  struggle  of  the  Bohemians  in  the 
university.  In  this  manner  the  hours  passed  imper- 
ceptibly until  supper-time,  after  which  all  repaired  to 
their  rooms.  But  Rugena,  before  retiring  to  rest,  sum- 
moned Matthias  to  her,  and  ordered  him  to  prepare  a 
couple  of  the  finest  riding  horses  for  Svietomir,  and  a 
complete  set  of  weapons,  which  she  herself  would  select 
from  among  those  belonging  to  her  father.  Then  she 
went  with  him  to  the  secret  room  near  the  library  where 

85 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  objects  they  had  hidden  long  ago  were  still  preserved. 

Ordering  that  two  saddle-bags  should  be  filled  with 
money,  she  began  her  selection  from  among  the  weapons 
and  objects  of  gold,  laying  aside  for  Svietomir  a  dagger, 
its  handle  embossed  with  precious  stones,  a  sword  with 
an  Italian  blade,  and  a  richly  worked  silver  drinking-cup. 

When  she  opened  the  casket  containing  her  mother's 
jewels,  and  the  diamonds,  rubies,  and  emeralds  flashed 
forth  thousand-colored  flames  in  the  light  of  Matthias's 
torch,  Rugena  laughed  lightly. 

4 'How  angry  my  guardians  were,  especially  the 
Countess,  at  the  loss  of  these  boxes!"  she  said.  "How 
much  time  they  spent  in  searching  for  them ! "  .  .  . 

She  picked  up  a  long  necklace  of  snowy  pearls  and  let 
them  slip  through  her  fingers. 

"They  would  certainly  be  adorning  the  reverend 
Bishop  Brancaccio,  or  Cardinal  Cossa,  hadst  thou  not 
been  so  far-sighted,  my  good  Matthias,"  she  said,  smiling. 

Taking  from  the  casket  a  heavy  gold  chain  set  with 
precious  stones,  a  buckle  for  the  hat,  and  a  sapphire 
ring,  she  left  the  hiding-place,  and  Matthias,  beaming 
with  happiness,  closed  the  aperture  again. 

Next  morning  Rugena  and  Anna,  with  the  help  of 
Itka,  set  to  work  to  pack  the  traveling-case  destined  for 
Svietomir,  filling  it  with  linen,  some  suits  which  had 
belonged  to  the  dead  Baron,  and  various  trifles.  The 
rest  of  the  day  passed  happily  in  conversation  and  in 
contriving  plans  for  the  future  when  Svietomir  should 
return  a  hero. 
86 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

After  supper,  which  was  served  earlier  than  usual, 
Anna  led  her  brother  aside  to  present  him  with  Rugena's 
gifts,  and  the  young  hostess  took  Svietomir  to  her  room, 
where  the  pleasant  surprises  were  awaiting  him. 

Rejoiced  and  touched  by  her  kindness,  Svietomir  ex- 
amined the  weapons,  the  clothes,  and  the  heavily-loaded 
saddle-bags  which  set  him  free  from  all  anxiety  regarding 
the  means  of  subsistence.  Falling  upon  his  knees  he 
gratefully  pressed  Rugena's  hand  to  his  lips. 

"How  can  I  thank  thee  for  the  generosity  with  which 
thou  hast  come  to  my  help?  Thou  hast  provided  me 
with  plenitude  and  eased  my  path  in  life!"  he  whis- 
pered, with  tears  in  his  eyes. 

"By  acting  in  all  life's  amenities  according  to  God's 
will  and  the  laws  of  honor.  Why,  we  are  both  orphans, 
and  as  God  has  blessed  me  with  happiness  and  abundance 
may  I  not  help  a  friend  of  my  childhood  in  a  hard  mo- 
ment ?  I  wish  not  that  thou  shouldst  make  a  poorer  show 
than  others,  Svietomir;  and  I  know  that  men  will  re- 
spect thee  more  if  thou  art  well  equipped  and  hast  a 
full  purse  in  thy  pocket." 

"I  swear  to  be  worthy  of  thee.  Thy  bright  image  will 
be  my  guiding  star,  remembrance  of  thee  my  last  thought 
if  I  be  fated  to  die  in  battle.  Daily  will  I  pray  for  thy 
happiness  and  Vok's,  that  God  may  bless  your  union." 

Rugena  listened  thoughtfully  to  this  speech,  but  at  the 
last  words  she  smiled,  and  pushing  forward  an  armchair 
motioned  Svietomir  towards  it. 

""What  is  this  chatter?"  she  said.  "Thou  knowest  as 

87 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

well  as  I  that  our  marriage  will  take  place  not  for  love, 
but  for  family  reasons. ' ' 

There  was  a  blending  of  anger  and  mockery  in  her 
voice. 

"Vok  does  not  love  me,  and  I  feel  nothing  for  him. 
They  say  that  love  is  a  heavenly  gift,  sent  us  by  God. 
But  no  man  till  to-day  hath  roused  that  feeling  in  me, 
and  I  much  doubt  that  Vok  will  do  so. ' ' 

"Why  so?  Vok  is  handsome  and  attractive,  and  full 
of  knightly  honor;  and  there  can  be  no  shade  of  doubt 
that  he  will  love  thee.  Who  could  look  calmly  upon  thee 
without  exulting?  Especially  he  to  whom  thou  wilt  be- 
long. And  how  can  he  fail  to  admire  and  take  pride  in 
thee  when  in  all  Prague  is  no  woman  to  compare  with 
thee?" 

Rugena  laughed.  She  knew,  of  course,  that  she  was 
beautiful;  but  her  native  modesty  and  artlessness  had 
kept  her  from  pride  in  the  knowledge.  Now  the  pas- 
sionate adoration  betrayed  in  the  words  and  looks  of  this 
friend  of  her  childhood  amused  her. 

She  placed  both  her  hands  upon  the  shoulders  of  the 
youth,  and  looking  into  his  face  said  roguishly : 

"Ta,  ta,  ta!  Art  not  thou  thyself  enamored  of  me 
that  thou  dost  sing  me  such  hymns  ? ' ' 

"Do  not  mock  me,  Rugena!  Could  such  a  sorry  fool 
as  I  dare  lift  his  eyes  to  thee?"  Svietomir  said,  flushing. 

"Not  because  thou  art  poor,  but  because  a  love  like  that 
would  be  a  heavy  encumbrance  for  thee,  and  a  hindrance 
in  thy  life!  .  .  .  Yes,  happily  thou  hast  nothing  like 
88 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

that, ' '  said  Rugena,  growing  serious.  ' '  Preserve  for  me, 
Svietomir,  a  brother 's  love,  as  I  will  be  a  faithful  sister  to 
thee.  Remember  that  thou  hast  a  tried  friend  to  whom 
thou  canst  turn  in  a  difficult  moment.  Know  that  in  me 
thou  canst  ever  find  comfort,  good  counsel,  and  material 
aid,  if  need  be.  But  if  in  the  course  of  years  thou  visit- 
est  us  again  with  thy  heart  still  free,  look  well  at  Anna, 
our  childhood's  dear  friend,  and  perhaps  thou  mayest 
yet  receive  her  a  bride  from  these  hands  of  mine." 

The  youth  was  dumbfounded  and  confused.  For  some 
time  he  did  not  speak. 

"Anything  that  comes  from  thee  promises  me  happi- 
ness," he  said  firmly  at  last.  "If  I  return  to  Prague  I 
will  try  to  love  her  whom  thou  proposest  as  a  wife  for 
me."  ' 

"Let  us  hope  that  the  future  bring  joy  for  us  both. 
Go  now  and  rest:  a  long  journey  is  before  thee  to-mor- 
row. Kiss  me  farewell  before  our  long  separation  as  in 
former  days  when  we  were  children,"  said  Rugena,  em- 
bracing him,  filled  with  emotion. 

The  travelers  set  forth  next  morning.  Svietomir 
sprang  bravely  on  to  the  splendid  horse  led  out  by  Mat- 
thias, and  cantered  delightedly  round  the  courtyard. 
On  taking  leave  he  cast  a  furtive  look  at  Anna,  and  saw 
that  she  was  beautiful  indeed,  though  not  to  be  compared 
to  Rugena. 

From  the  self -same  window  through  which  they  had 
watched  the  riders'  approach  Anna  and  Rugena  now 

89 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

followed  them  with  long,  farewell  glances  until  they  had 
disappeared  from  view. 

Then  Anna  silently  began  to  work,  and  Rugena  took 
up  her  prayer-book;  but  she  did  not  open  it.  She  cast 
stealthy  glances  at  her  sorrowful  friend,  who  was  work- 
ing abstractedly,  surreptitiously  wiping  away  the  tears 
which  fell  from  her  eyes. 

"Why  dost  thou  weep,  Anna?  Thy  brother  will  soon 
return,"  said  Rugena,  suddenly. 

Anna  started. 

"Nevertheless  I  fear  for  him — the  roads  are  not  quite 
safe,"  she  answered  confusedly. 

"Art  thou  not  ashamed  to  lie  so?  Thy  brother  is  not 
the  cause  of  thy  tears.  They  flow  because  of  the  parting 
with  Svietomir.  I  have  remarked  since  long  that  thou 
wert  partial  to  him,  but  as  he  was  destined  for  the  priest- 
hood I  had  no  right  to  speak  of  it.  But  now  it  is  differ- 
ent. He  is  a  warrior,  and  when  he  returns  why  should 
he  not  love  a  pretty  maid  like  thee?  I  will  give  thee  a 
dowry,  and  thou  shalt  marry  Svietomir!" 

"Ah,  speak  not  so,  Rugena!"  said  Anna,  flushing. 
"When  Svietomir  returns,  a  hero,  there  will  be  not  a  few 
rich  and  beautiful  maidens  to  love  him.  He  will  not 
even  notice  me.  And  besides,  thou  well  knowest  it  is 
thee  he  loves." 

"Ah,  jealous  one!  I  shall  be  married  then  to  Vok, 
and  wherefore  should  Svietomir  love  me?  Am  I  a 
Madonna  that  men  should  be  satisfied  by  silently  ador- 
ing me?  Take  heed  thyself  that  some  rich  gentleman 
90 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

from  Prague  come  not  a-courting  fair  Anna  of  Trocnov, 
and  thus  leave  poor  Svietomir  lamenting!" 

"There  is  no  fear  of  that.  Svietomir  is  too  good  and 
kind  to  be  forgotten.  Can  it  be  that  he  doth  not  please 
thee?  Dost  thou  consider  Vok  more  handsome?  He  is 
so  proud  and  haughty.  When  he  is  wrathful  his  eyes 
are  terrible:  they  pierce  like  spurs!  B — r — r — r,  I  am 
afraid  of  him!  Dost  thou  not  fear  to  be  his  wife?" 

Rugena  leaned  her  beautiful  head  against  the  back  of 
her  chair  and  fell  thoughtful.  Her  life  in  the  Wald- 
steins'  house  passed  like  a  panorama  before  her,  and  she 
pondered  the  relations  between  herself  and  her  betrothed. 

There  had  been  no  approach  to  intimacy  or  tender- 
ness, or  even  real  understanding  between  them.  For  one 
thing,  the  difference  in  their  years,  for  another  the  char- 
acter of  the  youth  himself,  had  persistently  held  them 
apart.  He  had  been  kind  and  attentive  to  his  little  be- 
trothed, had  showered  gifts  upon  her,  and  even  played 
with  her.  But  the  child  had  felt  that  he  despised  the 
games,  and  that  they  wearied  him,  and  that  he  could 
never  be  to  her  a  playfellow,  like  Svietomir. 

After  some  silence  she  sat  up  in  her  chair. 

"I  will  tell  thee,  Anna.  I  do  not  fear  Vok,  but 
neither  do  I  love  him;  even  as  I  love  not  Svietomir! 
The  one  is  too  sugar-sweet,  too  much  of  a  cherub  as 
one  might  say;  the  other  is  too  frivolous  and  insignifi- 
cant. I  cannot  well  explain  it  to  thee;  but,  in  a  word, 
they  both  lack  something  the  man  must  possess  who  shall 
make  me  love  him. ' ' 

91 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Dear  Lord!  What  dost  thou  wish?  What  unat- 
tainable ideal  hast  thou  imagined  for  thyself?"  asked 
Anna  in  amazement. 

"I  have  imagined  nothing.  Such  a  man  as  the  one  I 
think  of  exists.  I  saw  him  first  very  long  ago,  but  I 
have  never  forgotten  him." 

"But  who  is  he?  Never  before  hast  thou  spoken  of 
him,"  said  Anna,  curiously. 

"Who  he  is  I  know  not,  and  do  not  wish  to  know. 
Why  should  I?  I  do  but  liken  him  to  others,  and  each 
time  I  am  brought  to  confess  that  none  can  be  compared 
to  him.  He  is  the  incarnation  of  knighthood,  kind  and 
courageous,  and  of  a  great  intelligence." 

"But  where  then  hast  thou  seen  this  perfection  of 
manhood?"  said  Anna,  incredulously,  half  inclined  to 
laugh. 

"I  have  seen  him  but  twice  in  my  life.  The  first  time 
on  that  awful  day  when  I  learnt  of  my  father's  death. 
Master  John  Hus  chanced  to  be  at  the  castle,  and  that 
unknown  gentleman  accompanied  him.  The  next  morn- 
ing before  setting  forth  they  both  strove  to  console  me 
for  my  grievous  loss.  Master  John  spoke  many  words  of 
comfort,  but  he  said  nothing  but  'poor  child!'  and  gently 
stroked  my  head.  Never  shall  I  forget  his  look,  nor  the 
sound  of  his  voice.  Since  then  his  image  dwells  ever  in 
my  memory." 

"Of  what  appearance  was  he?" 

"Tall  he  was,  and  thin,  with  a  black  beard  and  great 
black  eyes.  Not  only  outward  is  his  charm ;  in  all  things 
92 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

he  is  enchanting:  his  glance,  deep,  burning,  and  caress- 
ing, his  winning  and  enthralling  smile !  .  .  .  The  second 
time  I  saw  him  was  on  the  eve  of  our  departure  from 
Prague — the  last  time  we  visited  the  city.  I  stood  at  the 
window  and  saw  him  riding  down  the  street  with  other 
gentlemen.  He  was  proceeding,  methinks,  to  some  fes- 
tival, for  he  was  clad  in  lilac  velvet,  and  among  the  rest 
he  seemed  like  a  prince  or  king.  He  was  talking  and 
laughing  merrily,  and  his  gaiety  made  him  doubly  beau- 
tiful. Methought  that  were  he  desirous  he  might  cast  a 
spell  upon  beholders;  and  all  who  accompanied  him 
seemed  swayed  by  his  charm,  and  with  delight  to  listen 
to  his  words.  They  passed  swiftly  by,  but  the  memory 
of  my  beautiful  unknown  awoke  anew  in  me." 

''But  we  must  find  out  who  he  is!  Perhaps  some  in 
the  castle  may  recall  who  came  with  Master  Hus." 

"No.  I  wish  not  to  seek  him  out  or  know  who  he  may 
be.  I  told  thee  that  all  this  is  but — a  vision,  an  idle 
dream.  Let  it  remain  thus!  I  wish  not  to  be  disen- 
chanted. They  may  tell  me  that  he  is  married  and  hath 
seven  children,  or  that  he  is  no  knight,  but  a  wealthy 
draper  or  pastry-cook!  .  .  .  Ugh!"  laughed  Rugena, 
amused  at  her  own  imaginings. 


93 


IX 

KING  VBNCESLAS,  upon  his  return  from  Silesia,  remained 
in  Kutna  Hora,  residing  in  his  palace  there  for  nearly 
three  months.  The  King  was  fond  of  this  commercial 
town,  and  the  population  always  expressed  unalterable 
loyalty  to  him. 

It  was  the  17th  of  January,  1409,  a  cold  day,  with  the 
snow  falling  in  great  flakes. 

The  great  hall  in  the  royal  palace,  in  which  the  King 
was  sitting  at  that  moment,  was  filled  with  pleasant 
warmth,  and  its  luxurious  appointments  breathed  com- 
fort and  tranquillity.  A  bright  fire  burnt  in  the  great 
gray  marble  fireplace,  and  near  the  table  sat  two  people 
playing  at  dice. 

One  was  the  King  himself,  who  was  sitting  in  a  large 
armchair,  the  high  back  of  which  was  embroidered  with 
the  royal  arms.  He  was  absorbed  in  thought,  and  lean- 
ing with  his  elbows  upon  the  table  sipped  abstractedly 
from  a  golden  drinking-cup  which  stood  near. 

The  King  was  a  man  of  about  eight  and  forty,  tall  and 
heavily  built.  Like  his  brother  Sigismund  he  was  hand- 
some, but  the  cares  of  ruling,  combined  with  the  excesses 
to  which  he  was  habituated  (it  was  said  the  King  had 
been  poisoned),  had  prematurely  aged  him,  and  covered 
94 


THE     TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

his  face  with  wrinkles.  Yet,  notwithstanding  the  un- 
healthy redness  of  his  face  and  the  puffiness  of  his  cheeks, 
King  Venceslas  was,  on  the  whole,  pleasing  in  appear- 
ance. His  inherent  kindness  and  frankness  of  disposi- 
tion could  be  perceived  in  his  smile  and  in  his  glance 
when  his  tired  eyes  were  not  dimmed  by  the  fumes  of 
wine ;  the  sufferings  he  had  known  in  his  life  had  not  dis- 
torted his  lips  with  lines  of  bitterness,  and  the  fits  of 
wild  rage,  so  terrible  for  the  beholders,  had  not  deprived 
him  of  self-control,  or  obscured  in  him  the  consciousness 
of  his  own  dignity. 

Opposite  the  King,  upon  a  folding-chair,  sat  Vok  von 
Waldstein,  who  also  wore  an  air  of  abstraction  and  played 
in  silence.  Suddenly  the  King  drew  himself  up  and 
tossed  back  his  head  as  though  to  drive  annoying 
thoughts  away,  and  swallowing  the  remains  of  his  wine 
gazed  steadily  at  the  frowning  face  of  his  youthful  part- 
ner. 

The  Count  was  his  favorite.  Venceslas  was  fond  of 
the  young  man,  besides  preserving  a  grateful  memory  of 
his  skill  and  courage  at  the  time  of  the  flight  from 
Vienna. 

Vok,  bold  and  enterprising,  a  lover  of  women  as  of 
every  sort  of  adventure,  knew  better  than  any  one  how 
to  divert  and  entertain  the  King,  relating  such  marvel- 
ous or  comic  stories  that  the  heavy  clouds  upon  his  brow 
were  speedily  dispersed,  and  succeeded  by  a  mirthful 
mood  and  peals  of  laughter.  The  youth  was  perfectly 
at  ease  with  his  royal  master,  and  permitted  himself  a 

95 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

freedom  of  speech,  amounting  at  times  to  insolence,  which 
would  have  cost  dear  to  any  other  but  himself. 

His  obstinate  silence  gave  Venceslas  to  understand  that 
he  was  angry,  and  the  pains  he  took  to  avoid  the  King's 
glance  proved  that  the  object  of  his  wrath  was  none  other 
than  the  august  person  of  the  King  himself. 

With  his  customary  good  nature  Venceslas  began  to 
search  his  memory  for  any  offense  of  which  he  might  have 
been  guilty  towards  this  spoilt  darling;  but  he  could  re- 
member nothing. 

"What  ails  thee,  Vok?  Thou  art  dumb  as  a  fish  to- 
day, and  angry  as  a  snake  whose  tail  hath  been  trod 
upon." 

"  'Tis  nothing,  sire.  But  I  was  about  to  ask  leave  of 
Your  Majesty  for  a  few  weeks,  for  the  arrangement  of 
certain  of  my  affairs  which  demand  my  immediate  pres- 
ence," answered  the  youth  with  cold  respect. 

The  King  glanced  doubtingly  at  him;  then  replacing 
upon  the  table  the  dice-horn  he  had  been  holding  in  his 
hand,  said,  half  angrily,  and  half  in  jest : 

"What  is  this  foolish  chatter?  Thou  hast  no  affairs 
which  need  arranging ;  but  I  see  that  thou  presumest  to 
be  vexed  with  me.  Now,  confess  what  is  it  thou  wouldst 
have  of  me?  Belike  I  have  forgot  the  fulfilment  of 
some  promise  to  thee?" 

"Nay,  sire!  I  should  grow  entangled  were  I  to  en- 
deavor to  select  one  from  among  the  promises  Your 
Majesty  has  made  and  broken.  No,  'tis  simply  that  I 
fear  to  stay  here,  and  am  desirous  to  depart." 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

''Fear?  Thou  art  mocking  me.  I  bid  thee  tell  me 
straightway  why  thou  art  wrathful  and  what  thou  fear- 
est." 

"I  fear  being  burnt  alive  and  offered  as  roast  meat  to 
the  Germans!" 

The  King  broke  into  a  prolonged  fit  of  laughter. 

"Ah!  Thence  blows  this  wind!  The  several  hasty 
words  I  spoke  to  Hus  and  Jerome  have  thus  upset  thee. 
Be  not  foolish,  dear  Vok!  How  doth  it  concern  thee 
what  I  may  say  to  a  deputation  that  hath  wearied  me 
with  their  importunings  ? ' ' 

"How  doth  it  concern  me?  You  forget,  sire,  that  I 
am  a  Bohemian.  I  cannot  stand  by  indifferent  while  my 
King  threatens  two  of  my  friends  with  the  stake,  and  re- 
fuses to  acknowledge  the  rights  of  my  people,  who  have 
always  been  loyal  and  devoted  upholders  of  his  throne." 

And  the  young  Count  began  warmly  trying  to  con- 
vince the  King  how  right  the  Bohemians  were  in  demand- 
ing for  themselves  the  first  place  in  their  own  fatherland, 
and  how  natural  it  was  for  them  to  be  dismayed  at  the 
present  unjust  position  of  affairs.  The  King  listened 
attentively  and  without  anger  to  the  passionate  words  of 
his  young  favorite. 

"Well,  well,  if  I  am  negligent  in  upholding  the  rights 
of  the  Bohemians,  they  at  least  slumber  not  in  seeking  to 
uphold  them,"  said  the  King,  laughing  good-naturedly. 
"Since  that  ill-fated  interview  I  am  besieged.  Lob- 
kovitz  as  soon  as  he  beholds  me  begins  to  buzz  like  a  bee 
into  my  ear,  and  showers  upon  me  convincing  proofs 

97 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

that  he  is  right  and  the  Germans — wrong.  The  Queen 
hath  shed  fountains  of  tears  in  that  her  confessor  lies 
sick  through  me.  Even  thou  art  harsh  to  me  and 
threatenest  to  leave  me.  It  hath  come  to  this,  that  Ab- 
bot Solon  of  the  French  legation  endeavors  to  convince 
me  that  it  is  my  duty  to  give  three  votes  to  the  Bohe- 
mians. 'Tis  clear  that  I  can  no  longer  live  at  peace  until 
this  matter  be  decided.  But  now  I  wish  to  sleep !  Good- 
night, my  Vok.  I'll  not  be  angered  at  thine  imperti- 
nence, which  was  called  forth  in  thee  by  patriotic  fer- 
vor. Wear  another  face  to-morrow,  and  make  ready 
with  some  merry  story  of  which  thou  hast  so  rich  a 
store." 

He  rose,  took  a  friendly  leave  of  Vok,  and  went  from 
the  hall  into  an  irner  apartment. 

The  sleeping  apartment  into  which  the  King  had  en- 
tered was  lit  by  a  silver  lamp  which  hung  from  the  ceil- 
ing, while  two  wax  candles  were  burning  before  a  shrine. 
The  Queen  was  at  prayer  on  her  knees  with  a  prayer- 
book  in  her  hands,  and  did  not  notice  her  husband's  en- 
trance. 

Sophia  of  Bavaria,  daughter  of  Duke  'John  of  Munich, 
was  the  second  wife  of  Venceslas.  His  first  wife,  Johanna, 
had  met  with  a  tragic  death,  having  been  suffocated  by 
a  huge  hunting-dog  which  always  slept  near  the  King's 
pillow,  and  which  flung  itself  upon  the  Queen  as  she  rose 
from  the  bed  one  night.  To  the  King's  intense  grief  his 
second  union,  as  his  first,  proved  childless. 

Sophia  was  a  kind  and  gentle  woman.  She  suffered  in 
98 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

silence  the  King's  unfaithfulness,  his  caprices,  and  the 
vexations  arising  from  his  unruly  passions ;  and  thanks 
to  her  patience  gained  at  length  some  influence  over  him. 
This  influence  the  Queen  used  in  aiding  and  protecting 
the  Bohemians,  whom  she  loved ;  and  all  her  life  she  was 
a  jealous  upholder  of  their  rights.  To  the  great  discon- 
tent of  the  German  priests  by  whom  she  was  surrounded, 
she  chose  as  her  confessor  John  Hus,  and  constantly 
visited  the  Bethlehem  Chapel.  This  openly-expressed 
preference  for  the  Bohemians  aroused  the  disapproval  of 
her  Bavarian  relations,  to  such  a  degree  that  neither  her 
brother  nor  her  uncles,  Dukes  Stephen  and  Frederick, 
would  consent  to  be  present  at  her  coronation.  The  Ger- 
mans of  Prague  pronounced  the  Queen  a  heretic  and 
Wycliffite. 

"Of  what  sin  hast  thou  been  guilty  to-day,  Sophia, 
that  thou  prayest  with  such  fervor?"  asked  the  King, 
observing  that  she  continued  not  to  notice  him. 

"No  sin!  I  do  but  pray  for  thee,  beseeching  God  to 
illumine  thy  heart  and  reason,  and  to  inspire  thee  with 
that  justice  and  impartiality  which  should  grace  a 
King." 

"And  which  I  must  prove  by  fulfilling  the  demands  of 
the  Bohemians  ?  I  have  heard  that  song  before,  and  de- 
sire not  that  it  be  sung  me  even  in  my  bed,"  said  Ven- 
ceslas,  half  angrily  and  half  jokingly. 

The  Queen  arose,  approached  her  husband,  and  kissed 
his  hand. 

"I  have  not  yet  spoken  of  that  matter,  though  it  af- 

99 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

fects  me  to  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  and  though  I  deem 
it  just." 

' '  'Tis  unjust,  in  that  the  statutes,  the  custom  and  will 
of  my  father  gave  priority  to  the  Germans,"  the  King 
interrupted  her  calmly. 

"I  do  not  feel  myself  a  fit  judge  in  such  weighty 
matters,  but  both  Lobkovitz  and  the  Abbot  Solon  have 
opined  that  the  Emperor  Charles  granted  to  our  Univer- 
sity the  self -same  rights  as  those  of  Paris  and  Bologna, 
in  both  of  which  priority  is  given  to  the  native-born.  Is 
it  not  thy  duty  to  set  aside  customs  pronouncedly  unjust  ? 
'Tis  but  in  thine  own  interest  I  would  speak  some  few 
words  to  thee.  Whom  dost  thou  protect,  my  King  and 
husband  ?  Whom  dost  thou  set  in  the  foremost  places  to 
the  detriment  of  thy  loyal  Bohemian  subjects?  Thy 
most  evil  enemies!  Is  there  one  deed  of  treachery  or 
effrontery  these  Germans  have  spared  thee?  Have  not 
they  by  their  stratagems  sown  discord  'twixt  thee  and 
thy  brother  Sigismund?  Did  the  base,  seditious  vassals 
hesitate  to  deprive  thee  of  thine  Empire,  setting  aside 
thy  rights,  while  the  majority  of  the  electors  were  faith- 
ful to  thee  ?  And  who  in  Prague  took  sides  with  Rupert 
of  the  Palatinate  and  would  assuredly  have  opened  the 
gates  to  him  at  the  siege  of  Meissen,  had  not  the  Bohe- 
mians opposed  them?  Why,  the  Germans!  In  their 
arrogance  they  dared  to  censure  thy  decrees  and  oppose 
thy  will.  'Twas  their  desire  to  gain  the  mastery  of  thee, 
God  pardon  me  the  words,  as  they  have  gained  that  of 
the  University.  Remember  how,  not  long  since,  they  re- 
100 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

fused  to  withdraw  from  their  obedience  to  Pope  Gregory 
XII,  while  the  Bohemians  unhesitatingly  submitted  to 
thy  will?  'Tis  to  these  perfidious  and  thankless  for- 
eigners thou  wouldst  sacrifice  the  lawful  rights  of  thy 
people ! ' ' 

While  the  Queen  was  speaking  red  spots  of  anger  had 
appeared  upon  the  face  of  Venceslas,  and  his  eyes  flashed 
with  indignation.  The  sudden  remembrance  of  the  in- 
dignities he  had  suffered  awoke  his  latent  anger  and  re- 
sentment. In  his  passionate  though  vacillating  soul  a 
revolution  was  in  course  of  progress,  defeating  all  argu- 
ments which  had  hitherto  spoken  in  favor  of  the  Germans, 
and  deciding  the  victory  of  the  Bohemians. 

' '  Thou  art  right,  Sophia !  And  what  reason  have  I  for 
mistrusting  such  a  wise  and  devoted  servant  as  Nicholas 
Lobkovitz?  Truly  he  is  right  in  maintaining  that  it  is 
the  bounden  duty  of  Bohemia 's  King  to  uphold  and  pro- 
tect his  people's  rights,  and  not  offer  them,  a  sacrifice  to 
foreigners!  To-morrow  I  will  ordain  that  a  decree  be 
drawn  up  giving  the  Bohemians  the  three  votes  of  which 
they  are  so  desirous." 

Overjoyed  at  this  unlooked-for  victory,  the  Queen 
threw  herself  upon  her  husband's  neck. 

Next  morning  Nicholas  Lobkovitz  was  summoned 
to  the  palace,  where  the  King  handed  him  the  decree, 
the  text  of  which  had  been  prepared  by  him  long 
since. 

After  mature  consideration  the  King  approved  and 
signed  that  momentous  act,  which  abolished  German  pre- 
101 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

dominance,  and  which  later  was  productive  of  such  fate- 
ful results  in  the  history  of  the  Bohemian  nation. 

The  deliberation  was  prolonged  and  was  exhausting  to 
the  King,  who  nevertheless  merged  from  it  more  cheerful 
and  contented  than  he  had  been  for  a  very  long  time. 

After  dining  he  retired  to  the  same  hall  in  which  we 
beheld  him  on  the  evening  before,  and  ordered  that  Vok 
von  "Waldstein  should  be  summoned  to  play  dice  with  him. 

The  young  Count  seemed  preoccupied  and  agitated. 
A  short  while  before  he  had  met  Lobkovitz,  who  had 
looked  at  him  with  deep  and  joyful  significance;  but 
owing  to  the  presence  of  other  courtiers  Lobkovitz  had 
been  unable  to  convey  more  than  a  silent  message. 

The  King  sat  down  to  the  table  with  his  favorite. 

"To-day,  Vok,  thou  must  treat  me  to  some  very  divert- 
ing story  as  a  reward  for  the  good  news  I  have  for  thee, ' ' 
Venceslas  said,  heartily.  "From  to-day  thou  art  freed 
from  all  danger  of  getting  roasted  and  eaten  by  the  Ger- 
mans. I  have  but  newly  played  a  pretty  trick  upon  them. 
I  have  signed  a  decree  giving  precedence  to  the  Bohemian 
nationality  over  the  remaining  three." 

Waldstein  turned  pale  and  leapt  to  his  feet.  He  had 
not  in  the  least  expected  such  a  signal  victory. 

Falling  to  his  knees,  he  kissed  the  King's  hand  pas- 
sionately, while  Venceslas  patted  him  in  a  friendly  man- 
ner on  the  shoulder. 

"See,  what  a  fiery  patriot!    And  I  thought  that  thy 
chief  interest  was  centered  now  in  love,  and  not  in  poli- 
tics. '\ 
102 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

4 '  One  does  not  prevent  the  other,  sire !  'Tis  of  women 
one  can  best  learn  politics,"  Vok  answered,  happily. 
"Though  truly  my  course  in  love's  career  is  nearly  run," 
he  added,  growing  serious. 

"Why  dost  thou  speak  thus,  and  with  such  a  face 
besides,  as  though  thou  hadst  been  just  condemned  to 
death?" 

"Truly  it  amounteth  to  that,  sire!  Death  socially,  at 
least." 

"What  is  this?  Can  I  not  help  thee?"  Venceslas 
asked  laughingly,  supposing  his  favorite  to  be  in  debt. 

"Impossible,  sire.  No  man,  not  even  Your  Majesty's 
self,  can  help  me.  I  am  to  be  married ! ' ' 

4 '  Truly  I  would  prevent  it  if  I  could.  Though  I  doubt 
not  it  will  be  more  lamentable  for  the  future  Countess 
than  for  thee.  What,  is  she  ugly  then,  that  thou  makest 
such  a  mien  ? ' ' 

"No,  sire — as  lovely  as  an  angel!" 

"Why,  then— is  she  stupid?" 

"Nay,  she  is  clever;  and  as  subtle,  I  should  conceive, 
as  any  doctor  at  the  University." 

"As  poor,  then,  as  a  church-mouse?" 

"She  will  bring  me  a  great  inheritance." 

"Why,  then  I  cannot  understand  thee,"  said  the  King, 
shrugging  his  shoulders. 

"She  is  enchanting,  but  cold,  and  she  loves  not  me. 
Aye,  and  I  love  her  not,  for  her  indifference  to  me  offends 
me  too  sorely. ' ' 

"The  devil!  Why,  thy  bride  is  squeamish  if  such  a 

103 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

pretty  fellow  suit  her  not.    Who  is  she,  and  why  does  she 
wed  thee  if  she  love  thee  not  ? ' ' 

"She  is  Rugena  Rabstein,  only  daughter  to  Baron 
Rabstein,  long  since  deceased.  We  were  betrothed  for 
family  considerations  in  our  childhood." 

Venceslas  frowned. 

"Baron  Rabstein?  The  friend  of  Rosenberg?  I  have 
but  an  ungracious  recollection  of  him.  He  was  an  un- 
worthy rebel ! ' ' 

' '  Sire !  For  nine  years  Rugena  hath  been  brought  up 
in  our  house,  and  that  alone  should  serve  as  a  pledge  of 
her  respect  and  steadfast  fidelity  to  Your  Majesty's  per- 
son. I  hope  for  your  gracious  permission  to  present  my 
bride  to  the  Queen." 

"Willingly  do  I  permit  it!    When  is  thy  marriage?" 

"I  cannot  say  with  certainty.  My  mother  is  now  in 
Bologna,  and  only  when  she  returns  will  she  herself 
bring  Rugena  to  Prague." 

"If  I  am  in  town  then  I  will  come  to  thy  wedding. 
And  with  regard  to  love  be  not  dismayed.  The  bride 
may  be  cold,  but  the  wife  will  be  full  of  fire.  There  is 
much  difference  between  the  one  position  and  the  other. ' ' 

"A  vast  difference,  in  truth!  'Till  we  have  crossed 
the  church  portal  she  may  command,  and  I  will  suffer 
her  to  step  upon  me  as  upon  a  worm.  But  afterwards  I 
will  command,  and  I  will  richly  repay  her  for  her  audac- 
ity in  presuming  not  to  love  me,"  said  Vok,  laughing. 

The  King  applauded  him,  and  with  much  jesting  and 
laughter  they  began  to  play., 
104 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Venceslas  was  in  high  spirits,  and  the  sound  of  his 
ringing  laugh  was  heard  every  moment,  even  in  the  rooms 
adjoining.  The  young  Count  amused  him  with  unflag- 
ging humor,  regaling  him  with  anecdotes  and  tales  of 
adventure  worthy  of  Boccaccio  himself. 

On  the  evening  of  the  same  day  Vok  had  a  short  meet- 
ing with  Lobkovitz,  who  confirmed  the  news  of  the 
King's  decree;  and  they  despatched  a  messenger  to  Hus 
without  delay. 


105 


THE  Countess  Waldstein  returned  from  Bologna  much 
sooner  than  she  had  expected.  She  was  in  such  haste  to 
get  to  Prague  that  before  reaching  Rabstein  she  sent  news 
of  her  approaching  arrival  so  that  there  remained  for 
Rugena  only  just  enough  time  for  the  packing  of  her 
things. 

On  a  dark,  foggy  day  at  the  end  of  February  the 
Countess  arrived  with  Eugena  in  Prague.  She,  with  her 
future  daughter-in-law,  occupied  one  litter,  Anna  with 
Itka  a  second,  while  Father  Ilarius  rode  on  horseback 
beside  Matthias,  who  was  in  command  of  the  guard.  Not 
far  from  the  gates  of  the  city  they  were  met  by  Count 
Ginek  and  his  son  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  men-at- 
arms.  The  Count  announced  that  disorders  in  the  town 
had  prompted  him  and  Vok  to  come  to  meet  them,  and 
accompany  them  to  the  house.  And  indeed  Prague  was 
in  an  unusually  restless  condition. 

In  spite  of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  which  generally 
drove  peaceful  citizens  from  the  unlit,  narrow  streets, 
which  were  the  haunts  of  night-thieves,  brigands,  and 
other  evil  people,  there  were  crowds  of  German  students 
on  every  hand.  They  strolled  noisily  about,  with  torches 
in  their  hands,  casting  inimical  glances,  or  even  abusive 
words,  at  every  Bohemian  they  chanced  to  meet. 
106 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

The  Count  rode  with  his  son  beside  the  litter.  Rugena 
and  the  Countess  dropped  their  veils  over  their  faces ;  but 
whenever  they  passed  a  lighted  house  or  the  flare  of 
torches  the  young  girl  cast  a  curious  and  tremulous 
glance  at  her  future  bridegroom. 

Vok  had  changed  and  grown  still  handsomer  in  the 
two  years  during  which  she  had  not  seen  him. 

He  had  acquired  a  manly  figure,  and  his  face  breathed 
energy  and  youthful  assurance.  The  disdainful  smile 
which  never  left  his  lips  revealed  his  white  and  perfectly- 
shaped  teeth.  He  wore  a  light  helmet  without  a  vizor, 
and  was  entirely  enveloped  in  a  long  dark  cloak.  His 
big  black  eyes  also  cast  frequent  glances  into  the  interior 
of  the  litter  where  his  betrothed  was  sitting  now  entirely 
hidden  by  an  impenetrable  veil.  The  darkness  had  pre- 
vented him  from  seeing  Rugena  at  meeting,  and  he  had 
perforce  to  be  content  with  a  kiss  on  her  little  hand  in  its 
silk,  fur-lined  glove.  Their  way  was  often  barred  by 
groups  of  students  or  townsmen,  who  by  cries  and  oaths 
sought  to  detain  them ;  but  on  each  occasion  a  demonstra- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  numerous  armed  escort  inspired 
the  crowd  with  a  becoming  respect  and  cleared  the  road 
for  the  travelers. 

At  length  they  reached  the  Waldsteins'  house,  a  huge, 
gloomy  building,  with  towers  on  either  side.  The  proces- 
sion entered  the  courtyard  through  a  wide  iron-work 
gate,  strongly  guarded.  Vok  leapt  from  his  horse  and 
was  about  to  lead  his  betrothed  into  the  house  when 
Rugena,  without  lifting  her  veil,  passed  her  arm  through 

107 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

that  of  Anna  and  entered  with  her,  merely  greeting  her 
bridegroom  with  the  words : 

"I  bid  you  farewell  until  supper-time." 

The  vexation  she  read  on  his  face  amused  her. 

The  young  Count,  thus  abandoned,  went  to  his  mother's 
room,  where  he  remained  until  supper-time  conversing 
with  her  about  the  journey  and  the  various  items  of 
news  she  had  learnt  in  Italy.  Among  other  things  the 
Countess  told  her  son  that  she  had  brought  thence  many 
beautiful  things  which  he  might  offer  to  his  bride  as 
wedding  gifts. 

"I  bought  them  very  cheaply,  thanks  to  my  cousin 
Thomas,  who  has  had  vast  experience  in  such  matters." 

"Not  in  vain  is  he  a  bishop !"  Vok  remarked  ironically. 
"But  where  are  these  things?  I  should  much  like  to  in- 
spect them." 

"I  will  show  them  thee  directly.  They  lie  apart,  in  a 
special  trunk,"  the  Countess  answered  hastily,  seeming 
unable  to  remove  her  gaze  from  her  son,  delightedly  fol- 
lowing every  movement  of  his  handsome  form. 

"Nay,  better  delay  the  inspection  till  to-morrow. 
Thou  art  tired,  and  they  will  soon  summon  us  to  sup- 
per," he  said,  in  a  somewhat  disturbed  manner.  Rising, 
he  hastened  to  the  dining-room. 

Rugena  entered  almost  at  the  same  moment. 

She  had  changed  her  attire.  Her  wide-sleeved  dress  of 
lilac  silk  clung  close  about  her  graceful  figure.  Her  won- 
drous golden  hair,  gleaming  bright  against  the  dark 
background,  framed  her  pale  and  agitated  face  with  a 
108 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

shining  aureole.  Her  big  eyes,  that  now  looked  almost 
black,  gazed  in  a  shy  and  frightened  manner  at  the  young 
Count,  who  had  stopped  as  though  spellbound  in  the 
doorway. 

It  was  difficult  to  recognize  in  Rugena,  standing  before 
him  now  in  her  brilliant  beauty,  that  pale  thin  girl  of 
fifteen,  looking  almost  sickly  because  of  the  quickness  of 
her  growth,  to  whom  he  had  bidden  farewell  two  years 
before. 

"Rugena!  Is  it  thee  or  some  heavenly  vision?"  he 
exclaimed,  with  such  sincere  rapture  that  Rugena  blushed 
and  grew  shamefaced.  The  Count  and  Countess,  who 
entered  at  that  moment,  laughed  at  such  embarrassment. 

' '  Embrace  her,  then,  and  convince  thyself  that  it  is  not 
a  vision  thou  beholdest ! ' '  his  father  cried  to  him  merrily. 

Vok  did  not  await  a  second  command,  but  followed  his 
father's  directions,  embracing  his  betrothed  and  kissing 
her  passionately.  Rugena  made  no  opposition,  only 
hanging  her  head  in  confusion,  and  afterwards  allowed 
him  to  lead  her  to  the  table,  where  she  was  placed  by  his 
side. 

The  old  Count,  in  order  to  enliven  the  company  at  the 
dining-table,  began  a  conversation  with  his  wife  and  son, 
and  in  the  meantime  Rugena  recovered  from  her  embar- 
rassment and  began  to  look  about  her. 

"Tell  me,  Uncle  Ginek,"  she  said  suddenly,  "what  is 
going  forward  in  Prague?  There  seems  to  be  an  insur- 
rection in  the  town !  Thou  didst  thyself  say  that  it  was 
unquiet  here,  and  that  therefore  thou  earnest  with  Vok 

109 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

to  meet  us.  Why  are  the  people  so  unrestful,  the  stu- 
dents especially?" 

"In  truth,  neither  thou  nor  Yana  can  yet  have  heard 
the  great  news ! ' '  said  the  Count,  and  began  to  tell  them 
the  story  of  the  King's  decree  bestowing  three  votes  on 
the  Bohemians. 

"The  Germans  are  beside  themselves  with  rage  since 
its  proclamation,"  he  continued.  "They  besiege  the 
King  with  protests  and  complainings,  and  pester  him 
with  deputations;  and  since  nothing  hath  availed,  they 
dare  resort  to  threats.  Three  nationalities  gathered  in 
conference  on  the  16th,  and  all  magisters  and  students 
took  solemn  oath  to  quit  Prague  if  the  decree  were  not 
withdrawn." 

"Yet  if  they  in  truth  fulfil  this  oath  it  will  be  a  great 
loss  for  the  town,"  remarked  the  Countess.  "For  think, 
only,  how  many  thousand  German  professors,  students, 
and  masters  are  dwelling  here;  how  many  parchment- 
makers,  copyists,  bookbinders,  and  so  forth  are  fed  by  the 
University.  They  will  of  course  all  follow  those  who 
leave." 

"Ah!  but  the  living  interests  of  the  Bohemians  must 
not  be  sacrificed  to  the  comfort  of  transcribers  and  book- 
binders," Vok  exclaimed  angrily.  "If  they  go  the  more 
bread  will  be  left  for  others!  Praise  God,  the  Univer- 
sity will  not  perish  for  want  of  German  professors !  Aye, 
and  be  sure  they  will  not  go !  They  hope  but  to  affright 
us  and  force  the  King  to  accede  to  their  demands.  The 
fools!  They  imagine  that  such  measures  will  have  the 
110 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

same  success  here  as  in  Bologna,  from  whence  the  stu- 
dents and  professors  withdrew  to  Sienna  when  the  Uni- 
versity deemed  itself  affronted  by  the  town.  The  people 
of  Bologna  ran  after  them  to  fetch  them  back.  But 
things  are  different  here,  and  their  threats  will  not  have 
the  desired  effect,  be  sure ! ' ' 

The  ladies  being  very  fatigued  by  their  journey,  the 
company  separated  soon  after  supper. 

Next  morning  the  Countess  was  still  busied  with  serv- 
ants in  the  arrangement  of  her  things  when  Vok  came  in 
and  asked  to  see  the  presents  destined  for  Rugena. 

"For  such  a  bride  as  my  Rugena  nothing  can  be  too 
good!  Heavens,  how  beautiful  she  is!  I  tell  thee, 
mother,  the  whole  court  will  envy  me,"  Vok  said  proudly. 

"Yes,  she  is  beautiful;  too  beautiful,  I  fear  me,  to 
bring  thee  happiness,"  said  the  Countess,  shaking  her 
head.  ' '  Seest  thou,  my  child,  women  of  such  rare  beauty 
awaken  many  passions  and  cause  no  few  griefs  and  vexa- 
tions to  their  husbands.  God  grant  Rugena  be  wise 
enough  to  love  thee  as  thou  dost  deserve.  Look  you,  this 
material  is  for  her  wedding-gown.  It  might  well  awaken 
the  desire  of  any  maid  to  don  it  the  more  speedily. 
What  sayest  thou?" 

She  unwound  a  length  of  white  brocade  wonderfully 
embroidered  with  arabesque  and  silver  flowers. 

The  material  was  so  thick  and  solid  that  it  stood  alone 
and  rustled  at  the  slightest  movement. 

' '  'Tis  ravishing  indeed,  and  Rugena  must  needs  ad- 
mire it!  I  thank  thee,  mother!" 

Ill 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

"And  here  is  the  adornment  for  her  head,"  the 
Countess  continued,  carefully  extracting  from  a  box  a 
silver  fillet  finely  worked  and  set  with  pearls  and  bril- 
liants, to  which  was  attached  a  veil  of  silver  gauze. 

"  'Tis  fit  for  a  Queen!  "Where  hast  thou  found  such 
marvels,  mother  ?  In  sooth  the  Venetian  merchants  must 
have  left  thee  with  an  empty  purse !" 

"Such  treasures  must  of  needs  cost  dear.  Yet  I  ac- 
quired them  at  a  moderate  cheapness.  My  cousin  Thomas 
had  brought  them  for  a  relative  who  was  to  have  been 
married.  But  the  bridegroom  was  slain  in  duel,  and  the 
bride  entered  a  nunnery,  so  that  these  things  were  cast 
upon  the  Bishop's  hand,  and  he  let  me  have  them." 

After  dinner,  Vok,  longing  to  be  alone  with  his  be- 
trothed, begged  her  to  go  with  him  into  a  room  adjoining 
to  see  the  wedding  presents  he  had  brought  her. 

On  entering  the  room  Rugena's  eyes  began  to  seek  with 
curiosity  for  the  .promised  gifts.  Used  as  she  was  to 
every  sort  of  luxury,  a  cry  of  ecstasy  broke  from  her  lips 
at  sight  of  the  beautiful  silver  circlet  and  the  brocade 
spread  along  the  table.  She  examined  the  costly  fabric, 
turning  it  about  with  childish  joy. 

"This  dress  shalt  thou  don  on  the  day  when  thou  art 
mine  forever,"  whispered  Vok  into  her  ear,  and  lifting 
the  bridal  veil  he  placed  it  upon  her  head  and  drew  her 
to  the  Venetian  mirror  which  hung  upon  the  wall. 

The  fillet  glowing  with  jewels,  and  the  long  white  veil 
which  enveloped  Rugena  in  a  silvery  mist,  made  her  look 
so  beautiful  that  even  she  herself  could  not  refrain  from 
112 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

admiring  the  enchanting  image  in  the  glass.  Vok,  liter- 
ally blinded  by  her  loveliness,  drew  her  towards  him  and 
embraced  her. 

"Thou  art  so  superb,  my  Rugena,  that  a  saint  would 
be  tempted  at  sight  of  thee !  I  shall  count  not  only  the 
days  but  the  hours  to  our  wedding ! ' '  he  whispered,  kiss- 
ing her. 

Rugena  turned  to  him,  and  meeting  his  passionate, 
devouring  glance,  flushed  and  trembled,  hiding  her  eyes 
with  her  hands. 

"Look  not  at  me  so !  It  is  terrible  to  me !  Thou  hast 
never  looked  like  that  before,"  she  murmured,  turning 
pale. 

"Foolish  little  one!"  said  Vok,  half  laughing,  half 
offended.  "Thou  wast  but  a  little  girl  before,  whom  I 
knew  for  my  betrothed  but  loved  not.  Of  a  certainty  I 
wish  not  to  frighten  thee ;  but  I  wish  with  all  my  soul  to 
win  thy  heart.  Thou  canst  not  ask  that  I  should  hide  my 
feelings. ' ' 

He  seated  her  on  a  red  velvet  bench,  and  bent  over  her. 

"Tell  me,  Rugena,  dost  thou  love  me  even  though  a 
little  ?  Since  yesterday  thou  hast  not  paid  me  back  one 
kiss." 

Rugena  lifted  her  head  and  her  pure  eyes  looked 
straight  into  those  of  her  bridegroom  as  though  they 
would  search  his  very  soul. 

' '  I  am  very  desirous  to  love  thee,  Vok.  I  have  no  one 
in  the  world  to  love  me,  whom  I  may  love.  But  dost  thou 
really  love  me  ?  Or  is  it  but  admiration  thou  f eelest  for 

113 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

me  ?  They  tell  me  I  am  beautiful,  but  beauty  is  a  frail 
gift.  Dost  thou  not  understand,  I  love  thee  not  as  yet 
because  I  know  thee  little.  Thou  art  handsome  and  at- 
tractive, and  if  thy  soul  doth  but  answer  thine  exterior, 
if  I  can  but  esteem  it  as  wholly  as  I  acknowledge  thy 
beauty,  then  ...  I  will  give  my  whole  heart  to  thee. 
Then,  be  thou  beautiful  or  ugly,  sick  or  in  good  health, 
even  crippled  or  blind,  I  will  love  thee  till  death,  so  long 
as  thy  heart  doth  beat  for  me. ' ' 

The  Count  listened,  bewildered,  to  these  solemn  words, 
spoken  with  so  much  emotion  by  the  rosy  lips  of  the  being 
he  adored;  and  suddenly  his  heart  contracted  with  dis- 
may. Light-minded  as  he  was,  caressed  by  women  and 
their  easy  victor,  he  realized  that  now  a  deep  and  lasting 
sentiment  was  being  demanded  of  him — in  a  word,  love, 
whose  true  meaning  he  had  never  known.  The  very 
knowledge  of  this  expectation  seemed  irksome  to  him. 

"I  will  try,  Rugena,  to  deserve  thy  love  and  gain  thy 
heart,"  he  murmured  irresolutely. 

"I  will  accept  thy  word,  and  may  God  send  us  happi- 
ness!" 

She  took  his  head  between  her  hands  and  kissed  him  on 
the  forehead.  Then  she  fluttered  from  the  room  like  a 
frightened  bird. 


114 


XI 

RUGENA 's  wedding  was  to  take  place  in  April,  immedi- 
ately after  Easter.  As  gaieties  of  any  kind  were  for  the 
most  part  forbidden  during  Lent  she  led  a  more  or  less 
secluded  life,  although  she  was  presented  at  Court  when 
the  King  arrived  in  Prague. 

Venceslas  was  struck  with  Rugena 's  beauty,  and  his 
reception  was  therefore  gracious,  while  good  Queen 
Sophia,  greatly  interested,  behaved  as  with  maternal  af- 
fection, and  admitted  the  girl  to  her  most  intimate  circle. 
She  often  took  Rugena  on  Sundays  and  holidays  to  the 
Bethlehem  Chapel  to  hear  the  preaching  of  her  confessor, 
John  Hus. 

Rugena  grew  daily  more  delighted  and  impressed  by 
this  fearless  servant  of  God,  choosing  him  as  her  con- 
fessor, and  bestowing  her  entire  confidence  upon  him. 
She  eagerly  followed  every  word  of  the  preacher,  as  with 
burning  faith  he  expounded  the  word  of  Christ,  present- 
ing it  in  its  convincing  clearness  and  deep  significance ; 
or  as  he  condemned  the  vanity  of  those  who,  instead  of 
promulgating  the  Holy  Scriptures,  plunged  themselves 
into  senseless  controversies.  Such  evil  priests,  he  said, 
sought,  not  the  blessings  of  Christianity,  but  their  own 
advancement,  or  the  indulgence  of  their  passions.  With 

115 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

enthusiasm  Hus  depicted  the  figure  of  the  true  priest,  as 
he  should  be:  chaste,  disinterested,  mild,  self-sacrificing, 
and  filled  with  love  as  the  Heavenly  Teacher  Himself 
had  been.  Sternly  he  compared  this  ideal  with  the  priest- 
hood as  it  was :  greedy,  pugnacious,  swelled  with  pride, 
consumed  with  every  kind  of  vice,  daring  in  holy  vest- 
ments to  consummate  God's  sacraments  with  hands 
stained  by  blood  and  plunder. 

But  while  those  who  truly  sought  for  good  and  thirsted 
to  hear  the  pure  words  of  the  Gospel  filled  the  Bethlehem 
Chapel  and  overflowed  in  crowds  into  the  streets — others 
who  felt  the  words  of  the  preacher  to  be  applicable  to 
themselves,  and  saw  their  vices  laid  bare  by  him,  were 
filled  with  resentment  and  an  increasing  hatred. 

Thanks  to  favorable  circumstances  the  preacher  of  the 
Bethlehem  Chapel  occupied  a  quite  exceptional  position, 
the  importance  of  which  he  alone  with  his  sincere  humility 
had  failed  to  recognize. 

His  friends  and  admirers  in  all  grades  of  society  num- 
bered thousands ;  but  the  number  of  his  enemies  was  also 
growing,  and  the  members  of  the  higher  priesthood  gazed 
with  envy  at  the  modest  servant  of  the  altar,  whom  knowl- 
edge and  worth  alone  had  placed  at  the  head  of  the  Bo- 
hemian Church. 

As  her  wedding-day  drew  nearer  Rugena  grew  increas- 
ingly thoughtful  and  silent.  She  seemed  disturbed  by 
some  troublesome  presentiment.  The  memory  of  her 
father's  love  for  her  was  still  preserved  in  her  tender 
heart;  while  in  her  guardian's  family  she  always  felt 
116 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

alone.  Anna  and  Svietomir  were  the  nearest  to  her,  but 
even  for  them  she  felt  no  more  than  a  calm,  sisterly  at- 
tachment. 

She  yearned  for  the  love  of  the  man  to  whom  she  was  to 
be  forever  united.  She  was  not  content  with  the  knightly 
courtesy  of  Vok,  the  presents  he  lavished  upon  her,  or 
even  the  passion  he  expressed.  Rugena,  with  her  serious, 
observant,  and  penetrating  mind,  was  well  aware  that  her 
betrothed 's  amusing  sallies  reflected  but  the  customary 
chatter  of  the  Court  gallants,  and  that  his  protestations  of 
love  were  but  the  outcome  of  boisterousness  and  the  in- 
toxication of  passion. 

Eagerly  she  sought  in  Vok's  eyes  the  spark  of  that 
warm  and  pure  affection  for  which  she  thirsted,  and  in  his 
voice  those  notes  straight  from  the  heart  which  would 
have  united  them  forever  by  an  ardent  and  unfailing 
sentiment. 

On  the  eve  of  her  wedding  Rugena  was  conscious  of 
peculiar  anguish  in  her  heart.  She  was  seized  by  an  un- 
definable  longing  to  pour  forth  her  soul,  to  seek  some  aid 
and  counsel  that  might  strengthen  and  direct  her  in  her 
dark  and  unknown  future. 

Never  had  she  felt  so  bitterly  until  this  moment  that 
she  was  an  orphan,  lacking  not  only  father  and  mother 
but  any  near  friend  to  whom  she  might  reveal  her  heart. 
She  thought  of  Hus. 

He  was  her  spiritual  father,  a  friend  known  to  her 
from  childhood,  whose  purity,  wisdom,  and  benevolence 
inspired  her  with  full  confidence. 

117 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

The  wedding  was  to  take  place  in  the  church  of  St. 
Michael,  and  the  officiating  priest  was  to  be  Hus. 

Though  she  had  but  that  morning  confessed  and  re- 
ceived communion,  Rugena  sent  a  letter  to  her  confessor, 
begging  him  to  come  to  pass  an  hour  with  her  in  conver- 
sation. Receiving  an  answer  from  him  consenting  to  her 
request,  Rugena  retired  into  her  oratory,  ordering  that 
Hus  should  be  conducted  thither  as  soon  as  he  arrived. 

The  eve  of  the  wedding  was,  according  to  custom,  cele- 
brated by  a  festive  gathering  of  young  people  and  by 
games.  But  Rugena  expressed  the  desire  to  spend  the 
last  hours  of  her  girlhood  in  solitude  and  reflection. 

Entering  her  oratory  she  fell  upon  her  knees  before  the 
shrine  and  became  engrossed  in  prayer.  She  did  not  hear 
the  opening  of  the  door  or  the  entry  of  Hus  who  stopped 
short  upon  the  threshold.  He  gazed  for  long  at  her,  and 
an  indefinable  expression  flitted  across  his  face.  Then  he 
approached  and  touched  her  hand.  Rugena  trembled 
and  rose  to  her  feet. 

"You  wished  to  see  me,  my  child?  Did  you  forget 
some  sin  at  your  confession,  or  simply  desire  to  seek  my 
counsel?"  asked  Hus,  seating  himself  in  the  armchair 
near  the  shrine. 

"I  have  no  sin  on  my  conscience,  Father  'John,  except 
perhaps  the  doubts  by  which  I  have  been  visited.  I  have 
no  mother,  and  to  you  alone  I  can  speak  without  reserve, 
seeking  your  counsel.  I  have  ventured  thus  to  disturb 
you  because  to-night  I  am  oppressed  by  apprehension  and 
alarm. ' ' 
118 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

1 '  Speak !  I  pray  God  may  school  me  to  calm  you,  and 
disperse  your  doubts. ' ' 

Rugena  was  thoughtful  for  a  moment,  and  then  began 
speaking  in  a  low  voice. 

"To-morrow  I  must  swear  fidelity  and  love  to  Vok  for 
all  my  life,  and  yet  I  do  not  love  him  as  I  should." 

Hus  started. 

"You  do  not  love  the  Count?  But  why?"  he  asked, 
amazed,  pausing  between  his  words. 

' '  I  did  not  wish  thus  to  speak,  Father  John !  Yet  me- 
thinks  love  might  be  different — both  on  his  side  and 
mine.  ..." 

As  quickly  and  clearly  as  possible  she  strove  to  explain 
that  feeling  which  was  disturbing  her,  adding:  "They 
say  that  love  is  a  mighty  feeling,  all-suffering  and  all- 
forgiving.  Yet  I  know  that  I  could  suffer  no  offense 
from  Yok,  that  I  could  not  forgive  him,  but  should  cease 
only  to  love  him  if  he  offended  me.  And  he  would,  me- 
thinks,  act  towards  me  in  the  like  manner." 

Hus  thoughtfully  shook  his  head. 

"My  daughter,  I  like  not  the  feelings  with  which  you 
are  preparing  to  approach  God's  altar.  The  oath  which 
to-morrow  you  will  take  of  your  own  free  will  doth  oblige 
you  to  share  grief  and  joy  with  your  husband  and  un- 
failingly to  offer  him  a  devotion  that  shall  forgive  all, 
and  judge  with  leniency.  You  will  take  a  great  duty 
upon  yourself  to-morrow !  Fate  has  in  store  for  you,  as 
for  all  other  women,  more  than  one  trial.  But  though 
the  wife's  heart  be  visited  by  disappointment,  another, 

119 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

a  new  and  lasting  love  will  blossom  for  her  by  the  cradle 
of  her  child.  As  yet  you  know  not  life,  Rugena ;  no  pas- 
sion hath  yet  disturbed  your  calm.  But  when  your  soul 
shall  awaken,  when  pride,  jealousy,  anger,  temptation 
shall  whisper  their  evil  counsels  to  you,  then  must  you 
cling  to  virtue,  to  duty,  and  to  faith.  All  that  is  easy 
if  you  can  but  love !  And  why,  my  daughter,  should  you 
not  strive  to  gain  that  great  love  that  doth  melt  hearts 
and  make  all  sacrifices  easy?  The  Count,  like  all  of  us, 
is  subject  to  human  weaknesses,  yet  he  is  worthy  of  your 
love ;  and  God  hath  endowed  you  with  that  powerful  in- 
strument, your  beauty,  to  attract  him  to  you.  Make  use 
of  this  divine  gift,  my  daughter,  not  for  displays  of 
empty  vanities,  but  to  exercise  a  salutary  influence  upon 
your  husband  that  shall  ennoble  him  and  make  of  him  a 
man  of  piety  and  stern  morality. ' ' 

Rugena  was  deeply  moved  and  big  tears  trickled  down 
her  cheeks. 

"I  understand  that  this  duty  is  great  and  sacred, 
yet  .  .  .  yet  ...  I  fear  that  I  lack  strength  wherewith 
to  fulfil  it,"  she  faltered,  in  a  voice  trembling  with  emo- 
tion. 

"Life,  my  child,  is  a  struggle  which  God  doth  send  to 
be  a  blessing  to  us,  and  which  good  will  doth  help  us  to 
maintain.  When  heavy  hours  and  weak  moments  shall 
befall  thee,  communicate  thy  grief  to  me,  and  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  knoweth  human  frailty,  shall  suffer  me 
to  point  thee  out  the  path  of  righteousness." 
120 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Placing  his  hands  upon  Rugena's  downcast  head  he 
prayed  fervently. 

* '  And  now, ' '  he  said,  with  his  kindly  smile, ' '  calm  your- 
self, and  remember  that  not  one  hair  falls  from  our  heads 
without  the  knowledge  of  our  Heavenly  Father." 

He  was  about  to  rise,  but  Rugena  clasped  his  hand, 
restraining  him. 

' '  I  thank  you,  dear  Father  John,  for  your  instruction, ' ' 
she  said,  looking  at  him  almost  childishly,  her  clear  eyes 
still  moist  with  tears.  "Kiss  me  now,  as  you  were  wont 
to  do  when  I  was  little,  and  I  shall  know  that  through 
your  pure  lips  my  dear  father  sends  me  from  Heaven  his 
blessing  for  my  wedding-day. ' ' 

"Willingly,  my  child, ' '  said  Hus,  and  bending  over  her, 
kissed  her  forehead,  giving  her  his  blessing.  Her  doubts 
relieved,  Rugena  rose  joyfully  to  her  feet. 

Night  fell,  and  the  little  lamp  burning  before  the 
Crucifix  cast  a  glimmering  light  in  the  preacher's  cell. 
He  lay  upon  his  hard  and  narrow  bed,  but  could  not  sleep. 
Alarming  fancies  were  distressing  him. 

The  thoughts  and  feelings  which  now  assailed  Father 
John,  and  which  during  the  whole  evening  had  prevented 
him  from  working  were  guests  unknown  in  this  peaceful 
asylum  of  the  scholarly  hermit. 

The  image  of  a  woman  was  haunting  him  with  an 
unnatural  persistency.  Rugena's  curly  golden  head,  and 
her  large,  bright  eyes  gazing  with  nai've  trustfulness  into 

121 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

his  own,  had  floated  like  a  seductive  vision  across  the 
pages  of  the  dry  theological  tract,  had  smiled  upon  him 
from  the  pages  of  the  volume  on  which  he  was  at  work, 
and  distracted  his  attention  during  the  evening  prayer. 

With  a  heavy  head  and  anxious  heart  he  lay  down  to 
rest,  ignorant  of  what  had  befallen  him. 

He  had  in  the  course  of  his  life  passed  indifferently  by 
numbers  of  women,  young  and  beautiful.  Neither  beauty 
nor  the  adoration  which  many  had  professed  for  him  had 
touched  his  heart  or  thrilled  his  senses.  Impure  desires 
which  had  been  the  ruin  of  too  many  of  his  fellow  priests, 
impelling  them  even  to  the  seduction  of  fair  penitents  who 
visited  the  confessional,  had  left  him  untouched.  Chaste 
by  nature,  he  had  led  a  strict  and  strenuous  life,  conse- 
crated to  science  and  prayer;  and  the  flesh,  thus  con- 
quered, had  never  discomposed  him. 

But  the  evening's  interview  with  Rugena  had  finally 
cast  his  soul  into  dismay.  The  image  of  her  upon  her 
knees,  pure,  fair,  and  as  fresh  as  a  field-flower,  haunted 
him  like  a  pursuing  vision.  He  fancied  he  still  felt  the 
clasp  of  her  soft  white  hand,  and  still  inhaled  the  delicate 
fragrance  wafted  from  her  hair  when  he  bent  to  kiss  her 
forehead.  At  these  remembrances  his  heart  contracted 
painfully,  and  a  cold  sweat  broke  out  upon  his  brow. 
And  on  the  next  day  he  was  to  unite  her  to  a  hare- 
brained fellow  who  probably  would  never  understand 
what  a  treasure  fate  had  bestowed  upon  him !  Oh,  why 
could  he  not  consecrate  her  to  God  while  her  innocent 
soul  was  still  undefiled  by  contact  with  a  frivolous  and 
122 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

depraved  society,  while  passion  and  jealousy  were  still 
unknown  to  her,  while  she  was  still  uncontaminated  by 
the  sins,  into  which  the  idle  hangers-on  at  Court,  inflamed 
by  her  beauty,  would  seek  to  lead  her?  His  heart  grew 
still  heavier,  and  a  deep  groan  broke  from  his  breast. 

He  sprang  from  his  couch  and  fell  on  his  knees  before 
the  Crucifix,  raising  his  tightly  clenched  hands  to  Heaven. 

"Jesus,  Merciful  Savior!"  he  cried,  beseechingly. 
"Crush  this  demon  which  torments  me,  which  hath  as- 
sumed the  image  of  a  guiltless  child.  Drive  from  me  these 
unclean  thoughts,  that  I  may  not  blush,  serving  Thine 
altar  with  the  stains  of  sinful  imaginings  upon  my  soul. 
Sustain  me,  0  Lord,  in  this  hour  of  struggle  which  hath 
revealed  my  weakness  unto  me  while  I  thought  myself 
to  be  strong !  Give  me  strength  to  be  a  priest  according 
to  Thy  law,  and  cleanse  my  heart  from  fleshly  appetites. ' ' 

"Thee,  Thee  alone  and  my  duty  have  I  the  right  to 
love!  The  one  aim  of  my  life  is  to  preach  Thy  Holy 
Word,  to  struggle  with  delusion  and  iniquity,  to  open 
the  eyes  of  the  blind  and  lead  the  repentant  to  Thy  foot- 
stool. Oh,  Jesus,  if  my  prayer  reach  to  Thy  throne  send 
me  some  token  to  sustain  me  in  mine  infirmity.  ..." 

Little  by  little  he  was  dominated  by  a  profound  ecstasy. 
Sunk  in  a  swoon  of  passionate  adoration  of  his  Heavenly 
Teacher,  with  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  figure  of  the  Cru- 
cified, he  lost  all  consciousness  of  his  surroundings. 

Then  suddenly  it  seemed  to  him  that  a  spark  began  to 
glow  above  the  head  of  the  Savior,  that  it  was  joined  by 
another,  and  that  soon  a  fiery  sheaf  streamed  forth,  which 

123 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

grew  broader  and  enveloped  him,  while  at  length  he  was 
seized  and  uplifted  above  an  abyss  of  fearful  gloom  by  a 
cloud  of  flame. 

Wrapped  in  the  flames  he  felt  unutterable  bliss.  Some 
heavy  weight  fell  from  him,  and  his  soul  was  bathed  in 
deep  tranquillity  so  that  it  no  longer  was  troubled  by 
earthly  longings.  Light  was  in  him  and  around  him; 
while  beneath  him,  very  far  below,  in  a  dim,  whitish  mist, 
swarmed  a  crowd  of  frantic  people,  in  crown,  tiaras  and 
miters,  with  distorted  faces  upon  which  traces  of  all 
earthly  passions  were  imprinted. 

With  curses  and  execrations  they  flung  mud  and  stones 
at  him,  striving  to  strike  him  within  his  fiery  halo.  But 
he  felt  himself  in  safety,  and  in  his  heart  was  no  shade  of 
resentment  against  his  powerless  enemies. 

He  floated  far  in  the  brilliant,  pellucid  atmosphere. 
The  ravine  disappeared  in  the  distance,  and  the  wild,  dis- 
cordant shrieks  of  the  crowd  melted  into  harmonies  of 
indescribable  tenderness.  Suddenly,  in  a  blinding  light, 
appeared  a  shining  figure,  in  snow-white  raiment  with 
azure  wings  and  a  green  palm-branch  in  its  hand.  The 
spirit  had  Rugena's  features  and  her  golden  curls,  but  in 
its  serene  gaze  there  was  nothing  earthly. 

"All  hail,  thou  valiant  warrior!"  said  the  heavenly 
apparition.  "See,  where  thy  lying  and  perfidious  ene- 
mies have  vanished  into  the  abyss,  and  instead  of  destroy- 
ing thee  have  rendered  thee  immortal !  Upon  the  tables 
of  the  history  of  peoples,  stained  with  blood  and  crime, 
the  name  of  him  who  was  courageous  to  proclaim  God's 
124 


THE    TORCH-BEAEERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Word,  to  censure  the  trangressions  of  those  high  placed 
on  earth,  and  to  die  for  his  convictions,  will  be  inscribed 
in  letters  of  fire.  All  frailties  of  the  flesh  will  be  con- 
sumed like  a  hair  in  the  flames  encircling  thee,  and  thy 
name  shall  shine  forth  like  a  star  in  the  memory  of  the 
Bohemian  people,  a  star  leading  them  on  to  truth  and 
freedom.  ..." 

The  rising  sun,  peeping  in  at  the  tiny,  lead-encircled 
window  of  Hus's  cell,  revealed  him  lying  on  the  floor  at 
the  foot  of  the  Crucifix,  but  his  face,  emaciated  from  work 
and  with  long  sleepless  nights,  looked  calm  and  restful. 
When  the  first  ray  of  sunlight  fell  upon  him  he  trembled 
and  drew  himself  together.  Then,  rising  to  his  feet,  he 
sat  down  at  the  table  and  buried  his  face  in  his  hands. 

He  felt  exhausted,  but  his  soul  was  bright.  God  had 
heard  his  prayer  and  the  torturing  dreams  had  fled.  But 
had  he  slumbered  or  beheld  a  vision?  Was  it  possible 
that  God  had  reserved  him  for  that  exalted  mission,  to 
serve  as  an  example  to  his  people,  a  mission  to  be  crowned 
by  an  illustrious  death?  In  his  meekness  and  humility 
the  thought  of  such  a  glorious  destiny  struck  awe  into 
his  soul. 

"Be  Thy  will  done  in  all  things,  and  I  will  bless  Thee 
for  whatever  fate  awaits  me,"  he  murmured,  crossing 
himself.  "Thou  hast  inclined  unto  my  prayer,  0  Lord, 
and  expelled  the  mischief.  Of  Thy  mercy  now  preserve 
me  from  the  demon  of  Pride." 

Soon  after  midday  an  enormous  crowd  gathered  around 
the  church  of  St.  Michael,  while  within  the  building  was 

125 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

assembled  the  flower  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  Prague. 

The  streets  through  which  the  bridal  procession  was  to 
pass  were  thronged  with  sight-seers,  for  the  King  and 
Queen  had  promised  to  grace  the  marriage  of  young 
Count  Waldstein  by  their  presence. 

Cries  from  the  street  proclaimed  the  arrival  of  the 
royal  cortege,  and  a  short  while  afterwards  the  bride  and 
bridegroom  entered. 

Beautiful  as  a  dream,  yet  pale  as  the  silvery  veil  en- 
veloping her  in  filmy  mist,  Rugena  moved  with  downcast 
head.  Only  when  she  reached  the  altar  she  raised  her 
eyes  and  looked  at  Hus,  standing  before  her  on  the  steps. 

He  also  was  pale,  for  he  had  taken  no  food  since  the 
day  before.  A  strict  fast  must  be  employed  to  crush  and 
subdue  the  riotous  flesh  which  had  dared  to  oppose  his 
iron  will. 

Solemnly,  and  with  deep  feeling,  he  conducted  the 
service;  and  from  the  bottom  of  his  heart  invoked 
Heaven's  blessing  on  the  newly-wed. 

The  triumphant  victory  he  had  gained  over  his  own 
weakness  resounded  in  the  words  with  which  he  addressed 
the  youthful  pair,  exhorting  them  to  love  one  another 
faithfully,  to  live  according  to  God 's  Word,  remembering 
that  only  the  fulfilment  of  duty  can  impart  real  happiness 
and  tranquillity  of  conscience. 

Even  upon  Vok,  light-minded  though  he  was,  the  words 
of  the  preacher,  delivered  with  extraordinary  force,  had 
their  effect,  though  they  awakened  unpleasant  feelings  in 
his  soul.  He  loved  his  bride,  and  his  resolves  were  strong 
126 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

and  deep;  but  the  notion  that  it  was  now  his  duty  to 
remain  exclusively  faithful  to  Rugena,  lovely  though  she 
was,  was  extremely  disconcerting,  and,  in  his  opinion,  it 
was  superfluous  for  Hus  to  make  such  demands  upon  the 
newly  married. 

Not  once  did  Jerome  remove  his  eyes  from  Rugena 
during  the  ceremony.  It  seemed  to  him  that  he  had  never 
seen  a  woman  so  enchanting,  or  one  who  was  such  a  com- 
plete incarnation  of  the  ideal  of  maiden  purity  and  inno- 
cence. He  strove  to  renew  his  acquaintance  with  her,  but 
the  crowd  pressing  around  the  young  couple  hindered  his 
approach,  and  only  at  the  Waldsteins'  house,  before  the 
guests  sat  down  to  table,  was  he  enabled  to  ask  Vok  to 
present  him  to  the  bride.  , 

The  Queen  had  kept  Rugena  by  her  side  nearly  all  the 
,time,  but  at  that  minute  the  Countess  Waldstein  had 
replaced  her,  when  her  husband  led  Jerome  across  the 
room. 

"Allow  me,  Rugena,"  he  said  merrily,  "to  present  to 
thee  Jerome,  the  most  sarcastic  and  seductive  man  in  all 
Bohemia!" 

"You  seek  to  flatter  me  by  your  elaborate  eulogy, 
Count.  But  I  prefer  to  present  myself  as  an  old  ac- 
quaintance to  the  Countess,"  answered  Jerome  with  a 
deep  bow.  "I  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  you,  a  child, 
Countess,  in  your  castle  at  Rabstein,  where  you  gave  shel- 
ter to  Hus  and  myself.  Doubtless  you  have  forgotten 
me,  but  I  have  retained  a  clear  remembrance  of  a  little 
fairy.  .  .  ." 

127 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

At  sight  of  Jerome  Rugena's  face  grew  deadly  white, 
and  she  looked  distractedly  at  the  stately  figure  of  the 
famous  orator,  bowing  with  innate  elegance  before  her, 
and  pressing  his  lips  to  her  cold  hand.  But  she  con- 
quered herself,  answering  in  a  low  voice : 

"I  too  remember  seeing  you  before.  It  was  when  I 
received  the  news  of  my  father 's  death,  and  all  the  details 
of  that  fearful  day  are  deeply  graven  on  my  memory. ' ' 

Vok  had  departed  to  some  other  guests,  not  noticing 
Rugena's  agitation,  while  Jerome  attached  no  significance 
to  it.  Conversing  with  her  for  a  short  time  with  his 
customary  wit  and  brilliance  he  stood  aside,  as  the  guests 
were  now  preparing  to  sit  down  to  table. 

Rugena  was  completely  overwhelmed.  The  meeting 
with  Jerome  had  cast  her  soul  into  a  turmoil.  The  ideal 
of  her  childish  dreams  had  suddenly  appeared  before  her 
in  the  flesh,  and  had  lost  nothing  by  nearer  acquaintance. 

Jerome  was,  in  fact,  one  of  the  handsomest  men  of  his 
time,  and  the  most  dashing  cavalier  in  Prague,  a  city 
surpassing  in  luxury  all  other  cities  of  the  epoch.  Dar- 
ing, alluring,  highly  gifted  and  learned,  he  was  famous, 
not  only  in  his  own  country,  but  in  the  whole  of  Europe, 
where  he  was  always  attended  by  unfailing  success.  He 
seemed  created  to  enslave  the  hearts  of  women.  Even  his 
sworn  enemies  succumbed  to  his  fascination. 

And  this  ideal  of  manhood,  whom  she  already  adored 
not  even  knowing  him,  and  by  whose  side  Vok  seemed  en- 
tirely insignificant,  Rugena  was  fated  to  meet  upon  her 
wedding-day ! 
128 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

She  knew  that  the  unruly  thoughts  which  wandered 
through  her  mind  were  sinful,  a  betrayal  of  the  oath  of 
fidelity  which  she  had  given,  that  it  was  her  duty  to  banish 
them  from  her  heart,  and  to  regard  Jerome  as  nothing 
but  her  husband's  friend.  But  notwithstanding  this  wise 
resolve  she  could  not  keep  her  eyes  from  wandering  to  his 
face,  as  he  animatedly  proposed  one  toast  after  another 
and  amused  the  king  to  tears  by  his  wit  and  merriment. 

After  the  banquet  the  royal  couple  with  their  suite 
retired  to  the  Palace ;  but  the  remaining  guests  continued 
to  feast,  to  the  annoyance  of  Rugena  who  felt  imperative 
need  for  rest  and  quiet.  Pale  and  thoughtful,  she  had 
taken  little  part  in  the  conversation  at  the  table.  Vok, 
pn  the  contrary,  was  in  excellent  spirits.  The  universal 
admiration  for  Rugena,  and  the  innumerable  congratula- 
tions he  had  received,  were  extremely  flattering  to  his 
self-esteem. 

The  wine-cups  circulated  again,  and  more  toasts  were 
drunk  to  the  heroes  of  the  day.  Then,  to  the  sound  of 
flutes  and  singing,  with  little  pages  strewing  flowers  be- 
fore their  feet,  the  young  couple  were  solemnly  conducted 
to  the  bridal  chamber. 


129 


PAET  II 


PART  II 
I 

(EzEK.  xxxvii.) 

"Prophet,  arise,  and  let  us  live! 
And  let  hearts  beat,  let  eyes  behold, 
And  let  the  breath  of  life  stream  forth 
And  sweep  across  the  desert  cold.  .  .  ." 

N.   SOKOLOF. 

THE  first  months  of  marriage  passed  for  Kugena  like  a 
dream,  between  celebrations  in  honor  of  the  newly-wed 
couple,  and  the  political  unrest  which  had  seized  the 
population  of  Prague. 

The  question  of  votes  in  the  University  had  become 
acute ;  and  it  reached  its  culminating  point  with  the  elec- 
tion of  the  new  Rector  and  the  Dean  of  the  Faculty  of 
Science.  The  Germans,  with  characteristic  stubbornness, 
clung  to  the  old  order  of  things ;  but  the  Bohemians  op- 
posed the  unjust  system  of  voting,  and  they  triumphed. 
The  elections  were  postponed,  and  Baltenhagen,  like 
"Wahrentrappe,  remained  for  the  time  in  his  former  post. 

The  affair  was  only  prevented  from  leading  to  hand- 
to-hand  fighting  by  the  strict  injunction  of  King  Vences- 
las;  but  relations  between  the  antagonistic  parties  were 
strained  to  the  utmost. 

131 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

The  tempest,  which  for  so  long  had  been  hanging  in  the 
air,  broke  forth  on  the  7th  of  May,  1409. 

In  order  to  put  an  end  to  the  disorders  in  the  Uni- 
versity, the  King  on  his  own  authority  appointed  as 
Rector  his  secretary,  Zdenka  Dubov,  while  Simon  Tishnov 
was  made  Dean,  and  Nicholas  Lobkovitz  entrusted  with 
the  power  of  putting  the  King's  decree  into  effect. 

Lobkovitz,  a  great  friend  of  the  Waldsteins,  was  sup- 
ping with  them  one  evening,  and  laughingly  related  the 
results  of  the  duty  laid  upon  him. 

"At  the  King's  order  I  summoned  the  masters  of  all 
four  nationalities  to  Carolinum,  and  myself  repaired  to 
the  Old  Place  (town)  in  company  with  an  adviser,  pro- 
vided with  a  considerable  guard  for  the  purpose  of  keep- 
ing wranglers  in  order.  When  I  proposed  to  the  Ger- 
mans that  they  should  submit  to  the  will  of  the  King  they 
flatly  refused;  and  what  was  their  dismay  when  I  took 
from  Baltenhagen  the  Rector's  seal  and  matricula  of  the 
University,  and  the  keys  of  the  treasury  and  library,  and 
conferred  the  posts  of  Rector  and  Deacon  on  Zdenka  and 
Simon.  I  thought  they  would  have  burst  with  rage.  But 
the  Germans  are  thick-skinned ;  they  confined  themselves 
to  shouts  and  curses,"  Lobkovitz  concluded  with  a 
smile. 

' '  'Twill  be  curious  to  see  what  they  will  do  now.  The 
Germans  cannot  resist  much  longer,  and  yet  I  do  not 
believe  that  they  will  fulfil  their  oath  to  leave  the  town," 
remarked  the  elder  Waldstein. 

But  the  next  day  proved  that  the  Germans  were  serious 
132 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

in  their  intention.  All  over  the  town  they  were  making 
feverish  and  hasty  preparations  for  their  departure. 

On  the  third  day  at  dawn  an  unusual  noise  and  bustle 
reigned  in  the  streets  of  Prague.  One  might  have 
thought  that  the  whole  population  was  deserting  the  city. 

The  German  professors  and  students  were  departing, 
their  faces  gloomy  and  preoccupied,  some  on  horseback, 
some  in  carriages,  and  others  simply  on  foot.  After 
them  followed  a  long  line  of  tradesmen,  with  their  wives 
and  children,  the  latter  distributed  among  the  carts  and 
wagons  loaded  with  baggage.  It  was  a  veritable  exodus. 
More  than  five  thousand  people  (some  chronicles  say 
twenty  thousand)  left  Prague  that  day. 

A  bewildered  crowd  gazed  in  silence  at  those  who  were 
departing.  Until  that  moment  nobody  had  seriously  be- 
lieved in  the  German  threat.  The  sweets  of  victory  were 
poisoned  for  many  by  the  fear  of  inevitable  financial 
losses ;  but  we  must  do  the  Bohemians  the  justice  of  say- 
ing that  they  bore  the  temporary  disadvantages  of  the 
position  courageously,  considering  their  national  interests 
to  be  of  greater  importance. 

At  the  first  University  elections  after  the  departure  of 
the  Germans  John  Hus  was  chosen  Rector. 

It  would  have  seemed  natural,  after  such  a  signal  vic- 
tory, for  peace  to  be  proclaimed ;  but  instead,  the  struggle 
was  but  diverted  into  theological  channels,  and  main- 
tained as  furiously  as  before. 

The  disputes  between  the  partisans  of  Wycliffe  and 
reform,  and  those  of  the  Church  hierarchy  and  Papal  ab- 

133 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

solutism  passed  from  the  halls  of  the  University  into  the 
ranks  of  the  people  and  divided  the  whole  population  into 
two  inimical  camps.  In  the  Palace  and  in  the  castles  of 
the  nobility,  in  shops  and  workshops,  in  street  conversa- 
tions and  in  sermons,  two  topics  reigned  supreme — the 
works  of  Wycliffe,  and  the  imperative  necessity  of  re- 
forming the  Church,  in  which  scandal  had  already 
reached  its  climax  with  the  election  of  a  third  Pope, 
Alexander  V. 

Though  the  masses  of  the  people  may  not  have  quite 
understood  the  scholastic  subtleties  of  the  English  phi- 
losopher's teachings  they  knew  very  well  that  upon  the 
side  of  Church-reform  were  ranged  the  noblest  people, 
famed  not  only  for  their  virtue  but  for  love  of  their 
fatherland;  while  their  opponents — the  wealthy  and 
vicious  priesthood — were  for  the  most  part  Germans,  and 
therefore  inveterate  enemies  of  the  Bohemian  people. 

These  arguments  and  dissensions  increasing  in  acute- 
ness  found  an  echo  in  the  house  of  the  Waldsteins,  which 
was  visited  not  only  by  Hus  and  Jerome,  but  by  a  number 
of  other  friends,  members  partly  of  the  priesthood  and 
partly  of  the  University. 

Meanwhile,  while  the  political  and  religious  life  of  Bo- 
hemia was  being  confronted  by  a  new  crisis  which  was  to 
lead  inevitably  to  the  Hussite  wars,  a  situation  no  less 
intricate  was  being  evolved  in  Rugena's  spiritual  life. 

In  the  early  days  of  her  marriage  she  had  felt  stunned. 
She  was,  at  first,  terrified  by  the  ardent  passion  of  her 
young  husband,  but  after  a  time  resigned  herself  to  it, 
134 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

as  to  a  necessary  evil,  and  bore  it  with  indifference,  seek- 
ing her  entertainment  in  the  society  of  Jerome.  His 
constant  visits  had  sustained  in  her  that  vague  feeling 
with  which  he  had  inspired  her  long  ago,  but  which  she 
had  never  imagined  to  be  love.  If  anybody,  indeed,  had 
suggested  such  a  thing  to  her  she  would  have  been  deeply 
offended.  Rugena  was  sincerely  convinced  that  she  de- 
lighted in  Jerome's  society  merely  because  he  was  dis- 
tinguished from  other  men  by  his  beauty,  intelligence, 
and  learning. 

A  passing  joy  was  afforded  her  by  a  letter  from  Svieto- 
mir,  brought  by  Zizka  when  he  returned  from  Poland. 

The  youth  wrote  that  the  Cracow  castellan  had  taken  a 
great  interest  in  him,  and  had  introduced  him  to  the 
Court.  He  was  pleased  with  his  position  and  had  zeal- 
ously applied  himself  to  the  learning  of  the  knightly  arts. 

The  first  love  adventure  of  the  young  Count  after  their 
marriage  unexpectedly  changed  Rugena 's  spiritual  at- 
titude. Vok  had  always  considered  that  strict  adherence 
to  the  marriage-vow  was  a  task  beyond  him.  Besides 
which,  however  much  in  love  he  might  be  with  his  beauti- 
ful wife,  he  could  not  help  remarking  her  coldness  to  him, 
and  partly  through  anger  restrained  himself  still  less. 
His  absences  from  home  grew  more  prolonged,  and 
Rugena,  who  often  visited  the  Court  through  mere 
tedium,  soon  learned  from  a  compassionate  friend  that 
the  constant  preoccupations  and  journeys  of  Vok  were 
caused  by  nothing  less  than  love  intrigues  which  he  was 
maintaining  with  two  ladies  at  once.  This  discovery 

135 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

roused  in  Rugena's  heart  an  utterly  new  and  unknown 
feeling.  She  was  a  woman  now,  and  the  knowledge  that 
she  was  being  betrayed  for  wanton  creatures  who  could 
not  be  compared  to  her  in  beauty  was  a  deadly  offense 
to  her. 

She  unrestrainedly  visited  her  scorn  and  indignation 
upon  her  husband.  Stormy  scenes  followed,  and  Vok, 
moved  by  the  recklessness  of  his  nature,  and  purely  as  a 
mockery  of  his  wife,  began  to  take  an  open  part  in  all 
sorts  of  notorious  escapades. 

The  coolness  between  husband  and  wife  became  ob- 
vious, and  attracted  to  Rugena  's  side  numberless  adorers. 
These  hoped  to  profit  by  her  wrath  against  her  husband, 
but  they  were  speedily  disillusioned.  The  fame  of  the 
young  Countess  Waldstein  's  impregnability  spread  in  the 
town. 

The  only  attentions  gladly  received  by  her  were  those 
of  Jerome,  and  that  was  merely  because  he  never  exceeded 
the  bounds  of  respectful  courtesy,  though  he  loved 
Rugena  more  sincerely  than  others,  being  attracted  not 
only  by  her  beauty  but  by  her  intelligence  as  well.  He 
had  no  notion  of  the  part  he  played  in  her  heart  and 
imagination ;  nor  had  he  any  desire  to  risk  the  loss  of  her 
friendship  by  a  rash  and  hopeless  declaration  of  love. 

The  month  of  July,  1410,  arrived.  A  new  act  of  re- 
ligious intolerance  was  being  prepared,  the  ostensible  ex- 
cuse for  which  was  the  teaching  of  Wycliffe,  its  real  oc- 
casion being  the  rebellion  of  free  human  thought  against 
the  oppression  of  the  Church  of  Rome. 
136 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

No  man  can  stand  higher  than  the  crowd  without  arous- 
ing the  envy  and  hatred  of  the  mediocrities  surrounding 
him.  Hus  fell  a  victim  to  this  law,  and  the  enemies  who 
surged  about  him  sought  out  the  most  dangerous  and 
efficacious  weapons,  with  intent  to  work  his  ruin. 

Protected  by  the  King  and  Queen,  adored  by  the  peo- 
ple, and  possessing  an  untarnished  fame,  Hus  seemed  to 
defy  all  such  intrigues.  Yet  he  was  defenseless  against 
the  accusation  of  heresy.  It  was  at  this  weak  spot  that 
the  attack  against  him  was  directed,  and  many  people 
whom  he  had  considered  his  friends  appeared  now  in  the 
ranks  of  his  most  malignant  enemies — among  them 
Stephen  Paleck  and  Stanislav  of  Znoima. 

The  teachings  of  "Wycliffe  were  pronounced  heretical, 
and  all  those  who  possessed  his  books  were  ordered  by  the 
Archbishop  of  Prague  to  bring  them  to  his  palace. 

This  irrational  measure  aroused  the  discontent  of  all 
partisans  of  reform,  and  was  of  course  utterly  condemned 
in  the  Waldsteins'  house.  Father  Harms  persistently  en- 
deavored to  uphold  the  Archbishop's  authority,  but  al- 
ways met  with  resistance  on  the  part  of  Jerome. 

Learned  and  gifted  as  he  was,  Jerome  would  not  at 
first  descend  to  arguing  with  an  ignoramus  like  Father 
Ilarius.  But  noticing  on  one  occasion  that  a  dispute  be- 
tween them  diverted  Rugena,  he  changed  his  tactics  and 
began  involving  the  priest  in  all  manner  of  scholarly 
controversies.  The  dull-witted  Harms  was  entirely 
incapable  of  parrying  the  attacks  of  his  brilliant  oppo- 
nent ;  and  3Terome  never  released  him  until  he  was  help- 

137 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

less  with  rage,  to  the  intense  enjoyment  of  the  young 
Countess. 

But  after  a  time  Ilarius  suddenly  began  to  be  imper- 
tinent, and  the  change  in  him  took  place  when  the  news 
was  received  that  Alexander's  successor  upon  the  papal 
throne  was  none  other  than  Baldassare  Cossa.  This  ag- 
grandizement of  her  near  relation  was  a  source  of  inde- 
scribable joy  to  the  Countess  Waldstein,  and  Ilarius  began 
to  conduct  himself  with  unconcealed  disdain  towards  Hus 
and  his  followers. 

On  July  16th  Hus  and  Jerome  were  to  dine  at  the 
Waldsteins ',  but  arrived  somewhat  earlier  for  the  purpose 
of  discussing  current  affairs.  The  guests  and  their  hosts 
were  sitting,  conversing,  in  a  room  overlooking  the  street, 
when  suddenly  their  attention  was  arrested  by  the  stroke 
of  a  bell,  and  afterwards  came  an  ominous  protracted 
tolling,  like  that  of  a  funeral-bell  which  seemed  to  resound 
all  over  Prague. 

' '  What  means  this  ? ' '  said  Jerome,  springing  to  his  feet. 

Vok  rushed  to  the  window  and  threw  it  open.  The 
passers-by  in  the  street  had  stopped,  and  were  gathering 
in  groups;  but  nothing  further  was  to  be  observed. 

"We  must  go  and  discover  what  hath  occurred,"  said 
those  present,  buckling  on  their  swords. 

But  at  that  moment  the  door  opened  and  Father  Ilarius 
appeared  upon  the  threshold,  his  face  flushed  and  beam- 
ing, and  his  eyes  shining  with  delight. 

"Do  not  trouble  to  go  forth,  good  sirs!  I  will  explain 
to  you  what  hath  happened !  That  sound  is  the  f  uneral- 
138 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

knell  of  heresy  which  hath  infected  Prague.  At  this  mo- 
ment the  accursed  words  of  Wycliffe  are  ablaze  in  the 
Archbishop's  courtyard.  May  the  impious  soul  of  the 
heretic  burn  even  thus  in  Hell ! ' ' 

Hus  gave  a  low  cry,  and  Jerome  said  angrily : 

' '  Thou  liest,  monk !     'Tis  impossible ! ' ' 

'  'Ha-ha-ha ! ' '  tittered  Ilarius.  ' '  Soon  you  will  be  con- 
vinced of  the  truth.  The  Archbishop 's  palace  is  now  sur- 
rounded by  guards.  And  Zbynek  doth  himself  supervise 
the  deed  which  hath  been  authorized  by  the  Holy 
Father." 

"An  Antichrist  is  he — thy  Holy  Father!  A  robber 
who  hath  purchased  for  himself  a  miter.  How  dare  he 
burn  works  of  philosophy  which  neither  he  nor  his  priests 
can  understand ! ' ' 

"The  Holy  Father  an  Antichrist?  A  robber?  He, 
who  can  bind  and  loosen  souls  in  Heaven  and  on  earth ! 
Not  dare  to  burn  the  works  of  a  heretic ! ' '  Darius  cried 
furiously. 

"Yes,  an  Antichrist!  Not  souls  but  purses  doth  he 
bind  and  loosen!"  Jerome  said  wrathfully. 

"Ah!  I  see,  thou  too  art  a  heretic,  like  thine  accom- 
plice John,  who  doth  inspire  thee  to  the  like  revilement 
of  the  representative  of  Christ !  He  will  teacH  you,  scof- 
fers, to  respect  his  power.  He  will  send  you  both  to  the 
stake,  which  you  have  richly  merited. ' ' 

He  flung  himself  with  upraised  fist  upon  Jerome,  who 
at  this  final  insult  also  lost  all  self-control. 

Turning  the  blow  aside  with  the  handle  of  his  sword  he 

139 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OP    BOHEMIA 

seized  the  monk,  raised  him  in  the  air  and  flung  him 
through  the  open  window  near  which  he  stood,  with  the 
words: 

"There !  I  will  teach  thee  to  insult  an  honorable  man 
whose  shoes  thou  art  not  worthy  to  unlace." 

All  this  had  happened  so  quickly  and  unexpectedly  that 
Hus,  who  had  sprung  forward,  was  unable  to  prevent  it. 
The  Countess  Waldstein,  who  had  entered  the  room  just 
in  time  to  behold  her  confessor  flying  through  the  win- 
dow, screamed  and  fell  senseless. 

Rugena  turned  pale,  but  stood  silent,  gazing  steadily 
at  Jerome. 

"Forgive  me,  dear  lady,  for  having  made  you  witness 
of  my  passion,"  he  said,  alarmed  at  the  condition  of  the 
Countess,  upon  whom  Rugena  was  now  in  attendance. 

"I  hope,  Master  Jerome,  that  my  presence  may  never 
hinder  you  from  defending  a  noble  cause,  especially  when 
the  matter  doth  concern  our  Father  John,  so  dear  to  all  of 
us!  I  am,  on  the  contrary,  much  delighted  that  that 
viper  hath  received  the  chastisement  he  hath  long  de- 
served," answered  Rugena,  looking  at  him  with  a  pe- 
culiar expression. 

Love  and  delight  were  so  clearly  expressed  in  this  look 
that  Jero&e  trembled  and  involuntarily  turned  aside, 
seeking  Vok's  eyes.  But  the  young  Count  was  leaning 
out  of  the  window,  looking  laughingly  on  at  what  was 
happening  in  the  street. 

The  noise  of  the  dispute  had  attracted  curious  onlook- 
ers, and  a  crowd  had  already  begun  to  gather  in  front  of 
140 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  house  when  Father  Ilarius,  bursting  through  the  win- 
dow, crashed  onto  the  pavement,  nearly  crushing  two 
women  who  were  listening  open-mouthed  to  the  noise 
within  the  house.  The  insults  which  had  been  directed 
at  Hus  spread  from  mouth  to  mouth  among  the  people, 
who  lost  no  time  in  avenging  their  favorite.  Instead  of 
helping  the  monk  to  his  feet  they  began  to  rain  blows  and 
unflattering  epitaphs  upon  him,  spitting  upon  his  tonsure ; 
and  Heaven  knows  in  what  the  scene  would  have  termi- 
nated had  not  Hus  himself  appeared  in  the  street  and  by 
the  severity  of  his  words  restrained  the  crowd,  which 
shortly  afterwards  dispersed. 

Ilarius,  covered  with  bruises  and  scratches,  with  a 
bleeding  face,  a  broken  tooth,  and  a  torn  and  dirty  cas- 
sock, retired  to  his  room.  He  was  panting  with  rage  and 
thirst  for  revenge,  and  on  the  following  day  a  letter,  filled 
with  spiteful  and  malicious  calumnies  against  Hus  and 
Jerome,  and  setting  forth  a  long  list  of  insults  pronounced 
by  them  against  the  Pope,  was  despatched  to  Bologna. 
It  was  addressed  to  Father  Bonaventura,  treasurer  of  his 
Eminence,  Bishop  Brancaccio. 


141 


II 

THE  days  succeeding  were  marked  by  great  disturbances 
in  the  town. 

Hus  protested  against  his  excommunication  and  con- 
tinued to  preach  in  the  Bethlehem  Chapel,  being  upheld 
in  this  by  the  Queen,  who  attended  her  confessor's  ser- 
mons as  before. 

King  Venceslas,  although  he  forbade  the  singing  of 
obscene  songs  about  the  Archbishop  under  penalty  of 
death,  nevertheless  authorized  the  possessors  of  the  books 
that  had  been  burnt  to  demand  payment  for  their  loss 
from  Zbynek  and  the  priests  who  had  taken  part  in  the 
auto-da-fe.  The  knight  Kobyl,  Governor  of  Vyshegrad, 
and  Vok  von  Waldstein  were  chosen  to  put  the  King 's  will 
into  effect. 

This  was  a  time  of  special  difficulty  for  Rugena,  pois- 
oned for  her  by  domestic  annoyances. 

Not  only  was  her  husband  constantly  absent  upon  dif- 
ferent matters,  but  her  mother-in-law  began  to  persecute 
her.  The  Countess  "Waldstein  had  heard  Rugena 's  ap- 
proving words  when  Ilarius  had  been  flung  out  of  the 
window  and  visited  the  offense  to  her  confessor  upon  her 
daughter-in-law.  She  blamed  her  too  for  Vok's  excesses, 
declaring  that  Rugena  had  driven  him  away  by  her  cold- 
ness, capriciousness,  and  tyranny. 
142 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Rugena  felt  herself  completely  deserted,  and  in  this 
state  of  mind  her  warm  and  friendly  relations  with  Je- 
rome acted  like  healing  balm  on  her  sick  heart. 

Although  Jerome,  like  all  adherents  of  reform,  was 
absorbed  in  the  arguments  and  deliberations  concerning 
the  questions  which  engrossed  all  University  and  political 
gatherings,  he  gladly  spent  his  free  time  with  the  young 
Countess,  and  tried  in  every  way  to  entertain  her  by  read- 
ing, singing,  or  instruction  in  the  arts  and  sciences.  His 
attentions  evoked  the  deepest  gratitude  on  Rugena 's  part, 
and  established  a  dangerous  intimacy  between  them.  The 
visits  of  Jerome  cost  her  more  than  one  scene  with  the 
Countess  Jan,  who,  while  far  from  suspecting  Rugena 
of  infidelity  to  her  husband,  accused  her  of  encouraging 
Jerome 's  visits  as  an  annoyance  to  herself. 

Jerome's  love  for  the  young  Countess  had  increased 
tenfold  since  he  had  received  that  intoxicating  glance 
from  her  on  the  famous  occasion  of  Father  Ilarius's  aerial 
flight.  The  thought  that  perhaps  he  was  beloved  by  this 
adorable  woman  agitated  him  and  awoke  in  him  the 
burning  desire,  by  some  means  or  other,  to  become  as- 
sured of  it,  to  behold  Rugena  divested  of  the  mask  behind 
which  she  always  hid  her  feelings. 

An  unexpected  event  accelerated  the  crisis. 

Vok  had  delightedly  headed  a  punitive  expedition 
against  the  abbot  of  a  certain  monastery,  and  other  priests 
who  had  taken  part  in  the  destruction  of  the  works  of 
Wycliffe  and  had  carried  away  for  redemption  some  pre- 
cious objects  from  their  sacristries  and  gold  from  their 

143 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

treasuries.  A  priest  of  one  of  the  largest  and  richest 
parishes  in  the  environs  of  Prague  shut  himself  up  in  his 
house  and  flatly  refused  to  pay  the  sum  of  money  de- 
manded of  him.  Waldstein  forced  an  entry  into  his 
house,  and  in  searching  for  his  treasures  found  among 
them  a  beautiful  young  girl  whom  the  pious  shepherd  of 
the  Church — despite  her  cries  and  protests — had  carried 
to  his  house.  Before  departing  from  that  place  Vok  or- 
dered the  priest  to  be  soundly  thrashed  for  his  depravity. 

Unhappily  Rugena,  after  leaving  the  Queen,  met  her 
husband  in  the  road  returning  from  the  expedition,  and 
carrying  before  him  on  his  horse  the  beautiful  girl  whom 
he  had  rescued  from  her  " spiritual"  lover.  Vok  glanced 
smilingly  at  his  wife,  and  rode  past  with  his  prize  to  the 
tavern  to  get  some  refreshments. 

Rugena  returned  home  furious,  and  a  bold  plan  of 
revenge  entered  her  mind.  At  that  moment  she  hated  her 
husband,  imagining  that  everybody  would  now  begin  to 
mock  and  point  at  her.  Walking  about  the  room  ab- 
sorbed in  her  thoughts,  she  noticed  neither  the  page  who 
entered  to  make  an  announcement,  nor  Jerome,  who  came 
in  shortly  afterwards,  and  who,  on  receiving  no  answer 
to  his  greeting,  looked  at  her  in  amazement. 

"Good  Heavens!  What  ails  you,  Countess?  Has 
something  terrible  happened?'*  he  asked,  approaching 
her. 

' '  I  hate  Vok,  and  never  wish  to  meet  him  again !  That 
is  what  has  happened ! ' '  broke  from  her  lips. 

"Happy  man  to  arouse  this  jealousy!  He  is  to  be 
144 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

envied, ' '  said  Jerome,  smiling  sadly.  ' '  I  feared  the  mad- 
cap had  in  some  way  offended  you.  But  take  it  not  so 
close  to  heart.  He  is  fiery  and  impulsive,  and  easily  car- 
ried away,  but  it  is  impossible  for  him  not  to  love  you. 
Be  assured  that  he  will  soon  appear  to  ask  your  pardon. ' ' 

Rugena  laughed  scornfully. 

"You  are  profoundly  mistaken,  Master  'Jerome.  I  am 
not  jealous  of  Vok,  for  I  have  never  loved  him ;  nor  will 
he  come  to  ask  my  pardon,  for  neither  doth  he  love  me. 
I  am  but  the  victim  of  family  necessities !  Did  I  know  to 
what  manner  of  man  they  had  given  me  ?  He  saw  in  me 
but  a  wealthy  heiress  who  would  bring  him  ten  castles, 
eighty  villages,  and  much  gold  as  a  dowry,  to  cover  the 
debts  of  the  family  and  pay  for  his  dissoluteness.  I  wish 
not  for  his  love,  but  I  have  the  right  to  demand  that  he 
put  me  not  to  public  shame!  The  thought  that  I  am 
united  to  him  and  cannot  free  myself  from  the  chains  I 
loathe  maddens  me ! " 

She  spoke  passionately,  but  suddenly  her  wrath  melted 
into  despair.  She  sank  upon  a  chair,  and  covering  her 
face  with  her  hands  burst  into  sobs. 

"In  what  have  I  deserved  such  shame?  All  have 
abandoned  me  and  I  have  none  to  love  me ! ' '  she  moaned. 

Jerome  forgot  everything.  He  fell  upon  his  knees 
before  her  and  took  her  hand. 

"None  to  love  you!  You?  Have  you  never  felt  that 
I  adore  you  with  all  my  soul,  and  am  ready  to  shed  the 
last  drop  of  my  blood  for  you?" 

Rugena  rose  to  her  feet  with  a  pale  face.  Had  she 

145 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

heard  aright?  "Was  it  possible  that  he,  the  idol  of  all 
Prague,  whose  learning  surpassed  that  of  the  professors, 
whose  eloquence  held  crowds  captive,  could  really  love 
her?  Yet  his  gaze  was  full  of  passion.  .  .  .  She  saw 
that  he  spoke  the  truth,  and  that  the  hero  of  her  childish 
dreams  was  at  her  feet. 

Had  Rugena  been  calmer  she  might  have  been  fright- 
ened at  his  avowal.  But  at  that  moment,  outraged  pride 
and  anger  against  her  husband  had  convulsed  her  whole 
soul.  A  feeling  of  victorious  and  intoxicating  happiness 
banished  all  obstacles,  all  doubts. 

"Is  it  true  that  you  love  me,  Jerome?"  she  asked, 
stooping  over  him. 

"Alas!  To  my  misfortune  it  is  true.  Forgive  me, 
Rugena,  for  my  mad  words.  They  were  called  forth  by 
your  tears.  Do  not  drive  me  from  you,"  muttered  Je- 
rome, trying  to  rise. 

But  Rugena  encircled  his  neck  with  her  arms,  and 
bowing  her  head  to  his  shoulder  whispered  with  trem- 
bling lips : 

"I  have  nothing  to  forgive.  For  the  first  time  in  my 
life  I  have  felt  a  moment  of  true  happiness.  I  have 
loved  thee  for  long,  Jerome,  since  that  first  day  when  I 
saw  thee  in  Rabstein  Castle. ' ' 

And  in  a  few  words  she  told  him  of  her  childish  dreams, 
whose  ideal  he  had  been.  Enraptured  by  this  unexpected 
joy  Jerome  drew  her  into  his  arms  and  pressed  his  lips 
to  hers. 

Rugena  hid  her  face  in  his  breast.  She  was  experi- 
146 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

encing  a  feeling  she  had  never  known  till  then — a  feeling 
in  which  bliss,  peace,  and  agonizing  bitterness  were 
mingled. 

At  that  moment  Anna's  face  appeared  between  the 
folds  of  the  door  hangings.  Petrified  with  amazement  at 
what  she  saw  she  dropped  the  curtain,  but  did  not  leave 
the  room,  desiring  to  protect  her  friend's  weakness  from 
the  gaze  of  prying  eyes.  'Jerome  was  the  first  to  recollect 
himself.  He  seated  himself  beside  Rugena,  holding  her 
hand  in  his. 

"Beloved ! "  he  said,  looking  tenderly  at  her.  "Had  I 
but  dreamt  that  an  old  bird  of  passage  such  as  I  could 
have  been  pleasing  to  a  charming  child,  who  even  then 
gave  promise  of  rare  beauty,  I  would  have  become  a  stay- 
at-home,  and  contested  thee  against  all  the  world.  And 
now  it  remains  for  me  but  to  gird  up  my  loins  and  flee, 
for  such  moments  make  me  traitor  to  my  friend." 

Rugena  turned  pale.  It  seemed  beyond  her  strength 
to  relinquish  such  happiness,  but  newly  tasted ;  and  her 
heart  besides  was  in  a  ferment  of  resentment  against  her 
husband. 

"A  traitor  to  such  as  he !  He  deserves  to  be  betrayed. 
I  at  least  feel  it  not  binding  upon  myself  to  be  true  to  a 
profligate  who  is  not  ashamed  to  ride  along  the  streets 
with  a  fallen  woman,"  she  said  with  scorn.  "Is  it  for 
his  sake  that  we  must  part  ?  Never.  I  do  not  wish  thee 
to  leave  me.  If  thou  goest,  let  us  go  together.  This 
house  is  abhorrent  to  me.  I  will  fly  from  it  and  follow 
thee  to  the  uttermost  ends  of  the  earth!" 

147 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Tempt  me  not,  Rugena!  Your  words  will  blind  my 
reason !  Conscience  tells  me  that  to  bind  thy  fate  with 
mine,  to  involve  thee  in  all  the  adventures  of  my  roving 
life  with  its  eternal  struggles,  were  a  sin!  Maybe  the 
stake  awaits  a  heretic  such  as  I.  Can  I  offer  the  woman 
I  adore  a  certain  shelter,  and  a  peaceful  life?  Truly  I 
could  not  even  die  becomingly  did  I  know  thee  to  be  left 
in  a  false  and  insecure  position." 

"I  wish  thee  not  to  die!  I  wish  thee  to  live,  and  to 
live  for  me  alone.  If  thou  dost  really  love  me  thou  wilt 
find  the  means  to  free  me  and  to  bear  me  with  thee," 
Rugena  said,  warmly. 

Jerome  passionately  kissed  her  hand. 

"From  this  moment  I  am  thy  slave!  I  will  consider 
well  and  find  a  means  to  save  thee.  "We  will  depart  in  a 
few  days.  And  afterwards  from  some  safe  place  we  will 
seek  a  divorce,  for  thou  must  be  mine  in  face  of  God  and 
man.  And  now  fare  thee  well.  To-morrow  I  will  come 
to  thee  again.  We  have  been  too  incautious  as  it  is !" 

He  again  bent  and  kissed  her,  and  before  Rugena  had 
time  to  recover  herself  he  was  gone. 

It  was  dusk  already,  and  he  did  not  perceive  Anna  as  he 
left  the  room.  Meeting  nobody  except  two  pages  who 
were  lighting  candles  in  the  candlesticks,  Jerome  gained 
the  street  and  returned  home. 

His  head  was  burning  and  his  heart  beat  violently. 
What  had  happened  was  for  him  a  turning-point  in  his 
life.  Perhaps  Heaven  had  sent  this  new  indescribable 
happiness  to  him  as  a  token  that  he  had  worked  suffi- 
148 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

ciently  for  others,  and  might  begin  to  think  of  himself? 

To  his  astonishment  he  beheld  Hus,  sitting  at  the  table 
in  his  room  turning  over  the  leaves  of  a  manuscript  which 
was  spread  open  before  him. 

"Hail  to  thee,  John!  What  art  thou  doing?"  Jerome 
asked  absent-mindedly,  casting  his  hat  and  cloak  on  to  a 
chair. 

"Why,  while  waiting  for  thee  I  have  been  glancing  at 
thy  tract  in  defense  of  Wycliffe's  De  Trinitate,"  an- 
swered Hus,  looking  at  him  in  some  astonishment. 

"Ah!  That  indeed  is  interesting,"  answered  Jerome, 
in  a  tone  which  showed  clearly  that  his  thoughts  were  far 
away,  and  that  he  listened  with  his  ears  alone. 

Hus  took  his  hand  and  drew  him  to  a  chair. 

"There  now!  Sit  down  and  make  confession,"  he 
said  in  a  friendly  manner.  "Why  dost  thou  wear  such  a 
strange,  preoccupied,  and  blissful  aspect?  Something 
has  befallen  thee.  Thy  head,  it  seems,  doth  float  in  air ! ' ' 

"Yes,  thou  art  right;  and  I  am  like  to  lose  it  alto- 
gether," answered  Jerome,  running  his  fingers  through 
his  clustering  hair. 

Noting  his  friend's  searching  glance  he  continued: 

"Ah,  John!  If  thou  didst  but  know  from  whence  I 
come,  and  what  I  have  been  doing  thou  wouldst  most 
sternly  reprove  me. ' ' 

A  sad  smile  played  for  a  moment  upon  the  pale  face  of 
Hus. 

"Confession — doth  remove  half  the  guilt!" 

"Nay,  not  in  this  case.  If  it  did  but  concern  me  alone ! 

149 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

But  I  have  sinned  and  thereby  disturbed  an  innocent 
heart, ' '  he  said,  leaping  to  his  feet  and  striding  excitedly 
about  the  room. 

"Thou  art  incorrigible!  Is  it  possible  that  neither 
years  nor  reason  have  placed  a  check  upon  thy  foolish 
love  adventures?"  said  Hus,  reproachfully.  "I  know 
that  women  favor  thee,  but  at  least  leave  maiden  hearts 
in  peace.  Bethink  thee  whether  thou  art  fit  to  be  a  hus- 
band— a  homeless  vagabond,  who,  like  the  Wandering 
Jew,  can  find  no  rest." 

"But  now  'tis  another  matter!  'Tis  time  for  me  to 
settle  down,  abandoning  my  roving  life.  Thou  art  right : 
I  have  loved  much,  and  for  the  most  part  lightly.  But 
now  my  heart  hath  been  given  forever.  A  feeling  such 
as  I  have  never  felt  before  consumes  my  soul.  A  woman, 
lovely  as  an  angel,  pure  as  a  lily,  loves  me !  Dost  thou 
hear,  John  ?  Loves  me  to  distraction,  and  ...  I  am  her 
slave." 

A  look  of  deadly  horror  overspread  the  face  of  Hus, 
and  he  gazed  sternly  into  the  eyes  of  his  friend. 

"I  understand  thee  well!  That  woman  lovely  as  an 
angel  is  the  wife  of  Vok  von  Waldstein,  and  her  purity 
hath  surely  offended  thine  eyes,  that  thou  dost  seek  to 
sully  it  with  a  foul  stain." 

It  was  now  Jerome 's  turn  to  grow  pale. 

' '  Thou  hast  guessed — it  is  Rugena !  And  I  will  permit 
thee,  ascetic,  who  hath  subdued  the  flesh,  and  is  untouched 
by  passion,  to  judge  me  as  a  priest,  and  as  a  friend.  But 
there  are  circumstances  that  make  our  guilt  less  heavy. 
150 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Vok  doth  betray  his  wife  in  the  most  unpardonable  man- 
ner, and  her  woman 's  pride  is  daily  outraged.  Is  it  mar- 
velous that  she  should  thirst  for  love  and  happiness  and 
strive  to  rend  the  chain  that  binds  her  ?  I  sin,  for  I  am 
but  a  man,  and  cannot  resist  temptation  when  such  a 
woman  as  Rugena  says  to  me,  '  I  love  thee,  and  have  ever 
loved  thee.  I  will  follow  thee  to  the  world's  end:  only 
bear  me  hence.'  Her  will  is  law  to  me,  and  I  will  fly 
with  her.  I  will  be  happy,  and  give  her  happiness!" 

Passion  and  indomitable  resolution  were  betrayed  in 
his  words,  his  actions,  and  his  shining  glance. 

A  flush  rose  to  the  face  of  Hus  and  he  got  up  from  his 
seat. 

"Thou  art  preparing  to  abduct  Rugena?  Madman! 
'Tis  not  enough  for  thee  to  besmirch  her  pure  soul  with  a 
forbidden  love !  Thou  must  still  degrade  her,  make  her 
thy  concubine,  drag  the  tender  being,  accustomed  to  all 
ease  and  luxury,  through  the  vicissitudes  of  thy  wander- 
ing life!" 

"Stay,  'John!  Do  not  offend  me  needlessly.  Yes,  I 
wish  to  bear  away  Rugena  and  to  hide  her,  but  only  until 
such  time  as  a  divorce  may  be  obtained,  and  she  may 
stand  beside  me  at  God's  altar." 

"Thou  dost  wish  for  her  to  be  divorced?  To  which 
Pope  art  thou  minded  to  apply  for  such  a  favor?"  said 
Hus,  smiling.  "To  Gregory  XII  in  Rimini?  But  thou 
hast  refused  obedience  to  him,  and  he  will  scarcely  help 
thee.  Pope  John  XXIII  in  Rome  is  no  better  disposed 
towards  thee,  for  thou  hast  dubbed  him  Antichrist.  And 

151 


THE  TORCH- BEARERS  OF  BOHEMIA 

Boniface  is  too  far  removed  from  us,  and  his  power  is 
acknowledged  in  Aragon  alone.  Even  if  one  of  these 
should  grant  thee  a  divorce,  the  remaining  two  would 
annul  the  decision  as  unlawful.  Recollect  thyself,  Je- 
rome !  Listen  to  the  voice  of  reason  and  honor,  and  fly 
before  thou  hast  worked  irremediable  evil,  before  thou 
art  weighed  down  by  three  great  crimes:  against  God, 
against  a  man  who  holds  thee  his  friend,  and  against  a 
weak  and  blindly -trustful  woman  who  loves  thee ! ' ' 

Jerome  was  confused,  and  hung  his  head  in  silence. 
He  felt  that  Hus  was  right ;  his  hopes  seemed  unrealizable, 
and  conscience  whispered  to  him  too.  Yet  to  abandon 
happiness  seemed  beyond  his  strength. 

"John,  thou  dost  demand  an  inhuman  sacrifice  from 
me !  Thou  dost  condemn  me  to  two  deaths ;  for  not  only 
shall  I  suffer  the  loss  of  the  most  exquisite  creature 
vouchsafed  to  man,  but  Rugena  will  hate  me  if  I  abandon 
her  after  what  to-day  hath  passed  between  us. ' ' 

"  'Twere  better  for  her  to  hate  than  to  despise  thee. 
The  human  heart  is  changeable.  Who  knows  but  what 
the  bliss  of  which  you  both  dream  in  time  may  weigh 
upon  you  ?  I  demand  nothing  of  thee.  But  as  thy  priest 
I  recall  to  thee  the  words  of  the  Bible :  'Thou  shalt  not 
covet  thy  neighbor's  wife!'  And  as  thy  friend  I  say  to 
thee:  pity  the  woman  thou  dost  profess  to  love;  do  not 
condemn  her  to  a  moral  death,  do  not  deprive  her  of  the 
possibility  to  return  to  the  true  path.  The  intoxication 
of  passion  is  brief ;  repentance  is  terrible  and  prolonged. 
And  as  a  last  resort  I  would  remind  thee  of  the  national 
152 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

and  religious  struggle  in  which  we  both  are  engaged. 
Will  honor  permit  thee  to  fly  the  field  of  battle  in  that 
moment  when  thine  eloquence  and  learning  should  be- 
long entirely  to  thy  country. ' ' 

Jerome  covered  his  face  with  his  hands.  It  was  ob- 
vious that  a  terrible  struggle  was  proceeding  within 
him. 

After  long  silence  he  rose,  pale  but  determined.  Traces 
of  the  moral  upheaval  through  which  he  had  just  passed 
were  observable  in  his  voice  and  downcast  gaze. 

"Thou  hast  conquered,  John,"  he  said,  dully.  "I 
renounce  personal  happiness  and  will  depart  as  soon  as 
possible  without  again  seeing  Rugena.  Let  this  renuncia- 
tion serve  thee  as  the  measure  of  my  love  to  her.  I  will 
not  be  the  cause  of  her  fall.  The  future  will  show 
whether  I  am  right  in  this,  and  whether  I  have  acted  well 
in  condemning  her  to  life  with  Vok,  which  can  mean  noth- 
ing for  her  but  unhappiness. ' ' 

"When  a  man  fulfils  his  duty  he  cannot  be  unhappy. 
A  tranquil  conscience  will  sustain  him,"  Hus  answered 
firmly.  ' '  Friend,  give  me  thy  hand !  I  congratulate  thee 
on  thy  victory !  Believe  me  that  one  day  Rugena  too  will 
thank  thee  for  not  profiting  by  her  inexperience." 

"I  had  promised  to  be  with  her  to-morrow.  Go,  thou, 
in  place  of  me,  bid  her  farewell  from  me,  and  explain  to 
her  the  reason  that  I  fly  from  her,"  said  Jerome,  in  a  low 
voice. 

Then,  seizing  hat  and  cloak,  he  rushed  from  the  room. 
Hus  followed  him. 

153 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

After  Jerome's  departure  Rugena  shut  herself  within 
her  room  and  her  first  agitation  melted  in  a  gush  of  tears. 
Vok,  happily,  did  not  return  that  night;  and  when  she 
awoke  late  next  morning  after  a  heavy  sleep  a  reaction 
took  place  within  her.  With  a  feeling  of  horror,  not  un- 
mixed with  rapture,  she  recalled  the  events  of  the  evening 
before. 

At  thought  of  the  kisses  and  words  of  love  she  had 
exchanged  with  Jerome  her  whole  being  was  thrilled  with 
joy;  but  shame  and  remorse  were  already  awakening  in 
her  soul.  She  was  too  pure  and  honest  to  be  able  to  re- 
ject all  the  principles  of  morality  in  a  single  night. 

The  day  dragged  on  with  almost  unbearable  heaviness, 
and  when  (Vok  being  still  absent)  her  mother-in-law, 
surprised  at  her  evident  discomposure,  asked  in  a  friendly 
manner  what  ailed  her,  Rugena  nearly  swooned.  Her 
agitation  increased  hour  by  hour.  Jerome,  she  thought, 
had  probably  fixed  the  time  and  arranged  the  details  of 
their  flight  which  she  herself  had  desired.  But  now  she 
was  terrified  at  thought  of  this  decisive  step. 

Instead  of  Jerome,  Hus  appeared  and  asked  to  speak 
with  her  alone.  Under  the  sad,  stern  gaze  of  her  con- 
fessor Rugena  blushed  and  trembled. 

With  bowed  head  she  followed  him  into  the  oratory 
and  sank  upon  her  knees  before  the  shrine. 

"You  awaited  another  whose  words  would  have  been 
pleasanter  to  you  than  mine,"  said  Hus,  after  a  silence. 
"But  I,  in  fulfilment  of  the  promise  I  gave,  have  come  to 
bring  you  Jerome's  farewell.  To-morrow  he  will  depart, 
154 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

not  to  return  until  he  can  look  upon  you  without  a  blush. ' ' 

Rugena  gave  a  dull  cry. 

"He  hath  abandoned  me?    He  doth  not  love  me!" 

"Nay,  he  loved  you  too  much  to  ruin  you  and  to  lower 
you  to  the  position  of  women  ...  of  another  sort.  Come 
to  yourself,  Rugena,  and  be  ashamed  that  you  have  so 
grievously  forgot  your  duty, ' '  said  Hus,  severely. 

But  the  blow  had  fallen  too  heavily  upon  Rugena.  The 
loss  of  the  man  she  loved  banished  all  thought  of  shame 
from  her  heart.  Bitterly  she  began  recounting  the  insults 
and  betrayals  of  her  husband,  repudiating  every  obliga- 
tion on  her  part  to  be  true  to  him. 

Hus  did  not  interrupt  her  until  sobs  choked  her  voice. 

"Make  open  declaration  of  that,  and  then  depart 
courageously, ' '  he  said. 

"But  may  I?"  she  murmured,  looking  at  him  in  as- 
tonishment. 

"You  may  not,  it  is  sure.  Yet  you  desire  to  flee 
stealthily,  by  night.  Believe  me,  my  daughter,  every  act 
that  fears  the  light  and  would  hide  under  cover  of  dark- 
ness is  an  evil  act !  You  know  as  well  as  I  why  you  are 
ashamed,  why  you  would  hide  from  human  eyes,  far  less 
terrible  than  the  eye  of  God.  You  accuse  your  husband 
and  maintain  that  you  hate  him  for  his  trangressions 
against  you;  but  how  shall  the  sins  of  others  serve  as  a 
condonation  for  our  own  ?  Is  your  conscience  above  re- 
proach ? ' ' 

And  sternly  he  recalled  her  life  since  her  marriage. 
Had  she  striven  to  love  her  husband  and  attract  him  to 

155 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

her  by  mildness  and  indulgence,  he  asked.  Had  she  not 
rather  repelled  him  by  coldness  and  indifference  and 
cruel,  offensive  words?  Then  he  spoke  of  duty  which 
man  is  obliged  to  fulfil  however  irksome  it  may  be,  sub- 
mitting to  the  trials  of  life  that  he  may  not  later  be  tor- 
mented by  pangs  of  conscience,  and  the  fear  of  judgment. 

The  preacher  had  never,  perhaps,  been  so  eloquent  as 
at  that  moment,  when  he  poured  forth  his  burning  faith 
and  passionate  love  of  righteousness  upon  the  troubled 
soul  of  the  penitent. 

When  at  length  Hus  departed,  Rugena,  entirely  con- 
quered by  his  exhortations,  firmly  resolved  to  submit  to 
the  demands  of  the  duties  God  had  imposed  upon  her. 


156 


Ill 

IT  was  a  Sunday  towards  the  end  of  May,  1412.  Not- 
withstanding the  early  hour  the  streets  of  Prague  were 
filled  with  people.  Some  were  hastening  to  mass ;  others 
to  make  purchases  at  the  innumerable  little  stalls  and 
booths  which  had  sprung  up  for  the  fair  like  mushrooms, 
for  the  sale  of  different  commodities  brought  in  from  the 
surrounding  districts. 

On  the  square  before  the  Tynsky  Cathedral  the  crowd 
was  particularly  dense,  and  a  solid  mass  of  people  was 
surrounding  two  platforms  constructed  out  of  planks, 
from  each  of  which  a  monk  was  haranguing  them.  The 
noise  of  drums  and  trumpets  which  resounded  at  intervals 
in  the  neighborhood  of  these  street  pulpits  attracted  ever 
new  crowds  of  spectators. 

Amo'ng  them  stood  Broda  and  Matthias.  One  was 
listening  frowningly,  the  other  smiling  sarcastically  at 
the  monkish  oratory. 

''Brothers!"  squeaked  one  of  the  preachers,  loudly, 
"words  of  mine  are  too  weak  to  depict  the  blessings 
which  you  may  enjoy  by  acquiring  one  of  the  indulgences 
conferred  upon  the  faithful  by  His  Holiness,  John 
XXIII,  with  the  inexhaustible  generosity  of  a  father  for 
his  erring  children.  Which  of  us  hath  a  conscience  un- 
stained by  sin?  Who  doth  not  tremble  at  thought  of 

157 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

God's  judgment,  or  beseech  Heaven  for  the  pardon  of 
departed  dear  ones  who  are  suffering  the  awful  torments 
of  Hell  ?  Who  doth  not  fear  for  his  children  lest  eternal 
perdition  be  awaiting  them?  It  lies  with  you  to  flee 
from  all  these  torments  by  laying  in  a  store  of  absolution. 
.  .  .  Here  are  indulgences  for  all,  and  to  meet  every  need, 
total  or  partial,  for  500,  for  300  or  200  years;  here  are 
remission  of  future  sins  and  exemptions  from  the  pains 
of  Purgatory.  These  blessings  are  for  the  poorest  as  for 
the  highest  nobility:  all  have  equal  chances  of  escaping 
the  torments  of  the  world  to  come.  Even  he  who  hath 
already  set  forth  upon  the  path  of  ruin  may  boldly  pre- 
sent himself  at  the  gates  of  Paradise,  and  St.  Peter  on 
reading  the  indulgence  will  not  question  him  concerning 
his  transgressions,  but  will  fling  open  the  gates  of  Heaven 
before  him.  And  there,  behold,  God  the  Father  will  be 
sitting  on  gold  and  silver  clouds,  and  beside  Him,  His 
Heavenly  Son,  surrounded  by  throngs  of  angels  and 
archangels,  by  Cherubim  and  Seraphim.  The  sinner  in 
terror  will  fall  down  before  the  Throne  of  the  Almighty, 
but  the  angels,  beholding  the  indulgence  in  his  hand, 
will  present  it  unto  God,  and  Christ  will  say,  'What  My 
representative  hath  pardoned  on  earth  shall  be  pardoned 
in  Heaven  likewise.  Go,  My  son,  and  sing  My  praises.' 
And  the  angels  will  upraise  the  blessed  one  upon  a  cloud 
and  show  him  the  glories  of  the  Heavenly  Kingdom. 
He  will  sleep  in  the  shade  of  the  Tree  of  the  Knowledge 
of  Good  and  Evil,  and  will  fearlessly  partake  of  that  same 
fruit  that  wrought  the  downfall  of  Adam.  ..." 
158 


THE     TORCH-BEAREKS    OF    BOHEMIA 

The  monk,  exhausted,  paused  to  take  breath. 

His  words  had  produced  various  sentiments  in  his 
listeners.  Some  laughed  and  giggled  mockingly.  Un- 
flattering remarks  concerning  the  Pope  and  his  ambas- 
sadors were  heard  on  different  sides ;  and  there  were  also 
cries  of  indignation  against  the  audacious  vendor  of  in- 
dulgences. 

Many  from  among  the  crowd  rushed  into  the  church, 
but  Broda,  laughing  heartily,  turned  to  Matthias. 

''Be  of  good  cheer,  old  friend!  This  shaven  rascal 
shall  charm  nothing  from  our  pockets ! "  he  cried. 

"Yes,  'tis  well  that  Master  Hus  doth  open  the  eyes  of 
fools,  and  reveal  the  true  value  of  all  these  indulgences 
and  bulls.  'Tis  not  his  fault  if  there  are  still  sheep  that 
let  themselves  be  shorn." 

"Yes,  he  stands  like  a  lion  for  truth,  with  his  sermons 
and  contentions,  and  doth  paste  refutations  at  all  street- 
corners.  Jerome,  since  his  return  to  Prague,  hath  aided 
him  in  all  as  'tis  his  wont.  A  wondrous  man,  Jerome," 
said  Broda,  warmly.  "God  hath  endowed  him  with  all 
talents!  Hast  thou  seen,  Matthias,  the  picture  which 
not  long  since  he  did  paint  upon  a  wall  ? ' ' 

"No." 

' '  Come,  I  will  show  it  thee ! ' ' 

' '  Shall  we  not  be  late  for  the  sermon  in  the  Bethlehem 
Chapel?" 

"Not  so!  We  will  hasten  our  steps  and  be  in  time," 
said  Broda,  drawing  his  companion  away. 

Not  only  was  the  building  filled  to  overflowing,  but 

159 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

surrounded  in  the  street  by  a  crowd  of  such  density  that 
all  Broda's  gigantic  strength  was  needed  to  force  a  way 
for  them,  and  even  then  they  could  get  no  further  than 
the  door.  But  being  both  of  immense  size  they  were  able 
to  see,  over  the  heads  of  the  people,  what  was  proceeding 
in  the  chapel. 

Hus  was  in  the  pulpit,  and  his  ardent  face  expressed 
the  burning  conviction  inspiring  him. 

Some  of  the  preacher's  words  were  lost  by  distance, 
but  when  in  an  outburst  of  enthusiasm  he  raised  his  voice, 
fragments  of  his  speech  reached  Broda  and  Matthias. 

' '  Brethren, ' '  he  was  saying  at  that  moment, ' '  think  not 
that  I  deny  the  power  of  the  Holy  See.  None  can  submit 
more  humbly  than  I  to  the  power  with  which  God  hath 
invested  the  Pope.  I  do  but  protest  against  the  misuse 
of  that  power,  especially  that  of  to-day.  Conscience 
doth  oblige  me  to  protect  you  all  against  deception  which 
perverts  the  very  words  of  Christ. ' ' 

The  preacher's  voice  was  lost  for  a  few  moments;  but 
then  was  heard  again. 

"Take  heed,  my  brethren!  Trust  not  in  absolution 
which  hatred  hath  dictated,  the  words  of  which  are  blas- 
phemy against  the  truths  of  Scripture.  Take  heed,  I 
say,  and  purchase  not  for  yourselves  indulgences  measur- 
ing by  gold  God's  mercy,  lulling  yourselves  with  vain 
hopes  that  unrighteousness  can  be  expiated  by  aught  save 
true  and  deep  repentance,  and  good  works !  .  .  . " 

When  the  sermon  was  ended  the  crowd  began,  little  by 
little,  to  disperse. 
160 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

Among  those  who  now  appeared  in  the  entry  were  old 
Count  "Waldstein,  Vok,  Rugena,  and  Anna.  They  had 
stopped  not  far  from  the  door,  waiting  for  the  people  to 
pass  out,  and  exchanging  their  impressions  of  the  sermon 
they  had  just  heard. 

At  that  moment  'Jerome  emerged  through  a  second 
door,  that  leading  to  the  sacristy  and  the  cell  of  Hus. 
He  passed  the  Waldsteins  without  seeing  them,  and 
mingled  with  the  crowd.  Vok  hastened  after  him  and 
seized  him  by  the  cloak. 

"Whither  speedest  thou,  Jerome ?  Or  was  it  thy  wish 
to  shun  thy  friends  ? ' ' 

"Why  so?  I  knew  not  thou  wert  in  the  church. 
Myself,  I  have  heard  the  sermon  sitting  upon  the  bench 
behind  the  pulpit. ' ' 

"Why,  we  are  all  here;  my  father  and  Rugena  too. 
Come,  they  will  rejoice  to  see  thee.  And  I  am  like  to 
rate  thee  for  having  been  so  long  in  Prague  and  coining 
not  to  visit  us." 

"Every  day  have  I  purposed  to  be  with  you,  but  all 
this  time  I  have  been  so  engrossed  in  work  that  my  head 
is  in  a  whirl.  And  the  two  last  weeks  I  have  spent  in 
Voykovitz." 

Thus  conversing  they  approached  the  old  Count  and 
the  ladies.  Jerome  kissed  Rugena 's  hand  with  knightly 
grace  and  seemed  not  to  notice  the  trembling  of  her  fin- 
gers, the  only  sign  of  agitation  which  escaped  her. 

Jerome  seemed  tranquil,  and  as  witty  as  before;  but 
his  face  had  assumed  a  serious  and  stern  expression 

161 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

hitherto  unobserved  upon  it.  The  old  Count  invited  him 
to  his  house,  and  he  at  once  accepted  the  invitation. 
They  all  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  home. 

"What  took  thee  to  Voykovitz  when  there  were  such 
weighty  happenings  here  ? ' '  Vok  inquired. 

"I  had  to  put  in  order  divers  old  affairs  and  reckon- 
ings. But,  beyond  that,  I  was  mightily  diverted  by  the 
edifying  sale  of  seats  in  Paradise.  Conceive  that  there 
they  march  about  to  the  beating  of  drums  bartering  their 
devilish  wares  in  towns  and  villages.  And  when  a  poor 
fool  of  a  clodhopper  hath  not  sufficient  money  the  monks 
take  from  him  in  payment  sheep,  cows,  and  other  cattle. 
If,  by  good  fortune,  I  had  not  been  in  Voykovitz  they 
would  have  laid  bare  my  peasants." 

' '  I  will  follow  thy  wise  example,  and  take  measures  to 
restrain  the  labors  of  the  reverend  fathers  in  my  estates 
that  lie  near  Prague,"  said  Vok,  laughingly. 

After  dinner  Countess  Jan  withdrew,  pleading  indis- 
position. But  the  truth  was  that  she  had  been  on  bad 
terms  with  her  son  and  husband  since  Vencel  Tim,  the 
papal  legate,  had  arrived  in  town  to  sell  indulgences, 
and  to  preach  a  crusade  against  the  bishoprics  of  Salz- 
burg, Magdeburg,  and  Prague. 

Relations  between  Rugena  and  her  husband  had  im- 
proved. Led  by  remorse  and  the  desire  to  expiate  her 
fault,  the  young  woman  had  been  less  severe,  and  had 
tried  by  meekness  and  gentleness  to  attract  him  to  her 
side.  He  was  at  first  amazed  by  this,  and  afterwards 
touched,  and  as  he  adored  his  young  wife  in  so  far  as  he 
162 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

was  capable,  he  refrained  from  escapades  of  too  scanda- 
lous a  nature,  in  order  to  avoid  offending  her. 

Although  the  whole  nervous  crisis  through  which 
Rugena  had  lived  had  acted  powerfully  upon  her  tender 
nature,  it  was  the  fierce  though  silent  struggle  with  her 
love  for  Jerome,  in  which  she  had  stubbornly  refused  to 
be  conquered,  which  finally  prostrated  her. 

She  fell  seriously  ill,  and  for  two  weeks  her  life  hung 
upon  a  thread.  The  fear  of  losing  his  wife  sobered  young 
Count  "Waldstein,  and  drew  him  penitent  to  her  sick-bed. 

When  Rugena  began  to  recover  he  tried  indeed  to  be 
more  steady,  and  his  repentance  was  as  extravagant  and 
noisy  as  his  folly  had  been.  Rugena  was  kind  and  affec- 
tionate, and  when  from  time  to  time  Vok's  impulsive  na- 
ture drove  him  in  spite  of  everything  to  some  mad  ad- 
venture she  still  preserved  her  indulgent  attitude.  But 
during  her  illness  she  grew  more  self-absorbed,  more  seri- 
ous and  reserved,  and  her  whole  being  was  pervaded  by 
her  hidden  sorrow. 

Anna,  as  before,  lived  in  the  "Waldsteins'  house  in 
spite  of  several  exceedingly  advantageous  offers  of  mar- 
riage, even  resisting  her  brother's  repeated  invitations  to 
her  to  share  his  home.  Rugena,  to  tease  her,  asserted 
that  she  was  still  waiting  for  Svietomir,  but  in  her  heart 
— since  Anna  had  confessed  to  witnessing  the  scene  with 
'Jerome — she  was  very  glad  to  keep  by  her  side  this  de- 
voted friend  who  alone  knew  of  her  weakness. 


163 


rv 

A  FEW  days  later  several  horsemen  were  riding  along  a 
street  in  the  Mala  Strana,  which  lies  upon  the  left  bank 
of  the  river.  One  of  these  wore  a  light  suit  of  armor, 
and  rode  at  the  head  of  the  others  with  his  vizor  dropped. 
Behind  him  rode  a  priest,  a  page,  an  equerry,  and  four 
armed  men,  leading  pack-horses  by  their  bridles. 

The  nearer  they  drew  to  the  market-place  the  more 
difficult  grew  their  progress,  as  there  were  many  people 
in  the  streets.  The  sound  of  singing,  shouts,  and  laugh- 
ter arose  from  the  moving  crowds.  Reaching  the  square, 
the  knight  was  obliged  to  keep  close  to  the  houses,  and  at 
last  he  halted  altogether. 

A  mass  of  heads  was  seething  on  all  sides.  In  front 
of  the  Archbishop 's  palace  a  high  chariot  was  drawn  up, 
but  it  was  difficult,  owing  to  the  people,  to  obtain  a  clear 
glimpse  of  it. 

Suddenly  the  crowd  gave  way,  making  a  passage  for 
a  procession  which  then  emerged  and  passed  just  in  front 
of  the  travelers. 

Musicians,  drummers,  and  trumpeters,  pounding  with 
all  their  might  upon  their  instruments,  came  marching 
before  an  enormous  vehicle,  in  which  sat  two  women  with 
impudent  faces,  and  of  dissolute  appearance.  From  the 
neck  of  each  hung  a  papal  bull.  All  around  them,  in 
164 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  chariot  and  by  the  side  of  it,  sat  or  walked  monks 
singing  hymns,  though  far  from  devout  ones,  ridiculing 
the  Pope,  his  indulgences,  and  his  Crusade.  The  people 
clapped  their  hands,  joining  in  the  singing  of  the  monks, 
and  giving  vent  to  various  ejaculations  concerning  the 
priesthood.  At  length  the  procession  disappeared  round 
the  corner  of  the  street. 

All  this  time  the  knight  stood  motionless.  The  hand 
which  held  his  rein  was  trembling  slightly,  while  the 
other  sternly  clutched  the  handle  of  the  dagger  which 
hung  from  his  belt. 

Noticing  a  clerk  wlio  was  passing,  the  rider  stopped 
him  and  inquired,  in  Latin,  the  meaning  of  the  strange 
procession. 

"They  bear  the  bull  of  'the  Romish  Antichrist'  in 
triumph  to  the  New  Town,  there  to  burn  it  beneath  a 
scaffold,"  said  the  other  with  an  absorbed  air,  hurrying 
to  overtake  the  procession. 

Now  it  was  possible  for  the  riders  to  proceed  further. 
Reaching  the  Archbishop's  palace  they  turned  into  the 
courtyard,  after  some  parley  with  the  gatekeeper. 

On  the  evening  of  that  same  day  we  behold  the  knight 
in  the  Archbishop's  sleeping  chamber,  whither  he  had 
been  led  after  his  conversation  with  Albik,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded Zbynek  Zaitza  as  Archbishop  of  Prague. 

He  was  reclining  in  an  armchair  wrapped  in  a  wide 
mantle  of  violet-colored  silk.  Two  wax  candles  in  silver 
candlesticks  shed  a  quivering  light  upon  the  strongly 
marked  features  of  our  old  acquaintance,  Thomas  Bran- 

165 


THE     TORCH-BEAREKS    OF    BOHEMIA 

caccio.  He  has  changed  little  since  we  saw  him  last,  be- 
ing still  the  same  handsome,  well-built  man,  with  hair  as 
black  as  jet. 

Behind  his  armchair  Father  Bonaventura  was  stand- 
ing, and  before  him,  on  a  folding  chair,  sat  Harms,  who 
was  listening  in  a  cringing  attitude  to  the  words  of  the 
Bishop. 

' '  I  have  come  personally  to  acquaint  myself  as  to  what 
is  happening  in  Prague,  later  to  give  an  account  thereof 
to  the  Holy  Father.  But  in  order  that  my  actions  may 
be  freer,  I  wish  not  to  appear  officially,  and  my  presence 
here  must  be  made  known  to  as  few  as  possible.  You, 
Father  Ilarius,  are  probably  well-informed  of  everything, 
and  will  be  able  to  communicate  much  to  me.  I  am  par- 
ticularly desirous  to  learn  the  details  of  that  sacrilegious 
ceremony  which  to-day  I  witnessed." 

"Alack,  Your  Eminence!  Sacrilege  is  common  here. 
'Tis  impossible  to  describe  the  sufferings  of  the  Christian 
soul  at  the  constant  derision  of  everything  it  holds  most 
sacred.  But  at  your  command  I  will  endeavor  to  de- 
scribe the  bacchanalia  held  by  these  heretics  during  the 
presence  of  our  most  revered  Vencel  Tim  in  the  city. ' ' 

With  a  malignant  expression  he  began  describing  to 
the  Cardinal  the  outrageous  scenes  which  had  accom- 
panied the  sale  of  the  indulgences,  ascribing  all  the  evil 
to  the  accursed  and  criminal  activity  of  John  Hus  and 
'Jerome. 

"'Tis  these  two  hell-born  heretics  have  infected  all 
166 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Bohemia!  God  knows  to  what  it  all  may  lead  if  the 
Holy  Father  take  not  strict  and  timely  measures  against 
these  machinators  who  dare  to  vent  their  spleen  on  all 
they  should  respect.  None  of  the  priesthood  can  count 
upon  real  safety!"  cried  Ilarius,  his  face  crimson  with 
indignation.  "The  voice  of  the  blasphemer  must  be 
choked !  He  must  be  forbidden  to  preach !  For  he  dares 
openly  revile  the  Pope,  denying  the  power  of  his  indul- 
gences, and  inciting  the  people  by  his  sermons.  Only 
yesterday  there  was,  at  his  order,  a  great  controversy  at 
the  University,  at  which  one  of  the  professors  put  him  to 
shame,  saying:  'Thou  art  a  priest  and  yet  dost  revile 
the  priesthood.  'Tis  a  sorry  bird  that  sullies  its  own 
nest.'  But  then  that  worthy  man  was  laughed  to  scorn, 
and  Jerome  pronounced  a  speech  still  more  inflaming, 
and  the  students  bore  him  in  triumph  upon  their  shoul- 
ders. That  infamous  procession  Your  Eminence  had  the 
unhappiness  of  witnessing  was  a  device  of  Vok  von  "Wald- 
stein,  whose  head  is  turned  by  heresy  and  vice.  Only  to 
madness  or  the  promptings  of  the  devil  can  be  ascribed 
the  brazen  audacity  of  carrying  two  harlots  decked  with 
papal  bulls  in  triumph  through  the  city.  And,  good 
Lord,  what  have  they  not  done  besides?  Close  to  the 
ravine  by  the  New  Town  they  erected  a  scaffold,  and 
beneath  it  a  stake  at  which  they  burned  the  bulls.  And 
near  by,  in  mockery,  they  placed  a  box  like  those  in  which 
the  faithful  place  their  money  for  the  indulgences,  and 
cast  into  it  all  sorts  of  filth.  The  people  were  in  such 

167 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

excitement  that  when  I,  with  Brother  Bojek  of  the  Strak- 
hovsky  Monastery,  returned  to  the  Old  Town,  they  cried 
out  after  us :  '  Seize  the  monks ! '  " 

"Dogs!  I  hope  that  more  than  one  of  them  will  still 
burn  at  the  stake  instead  of  papal  bulls!"  said  Bran- 
caccio,  furiously. 

"I  will  sing  Hallelujah  from  morn  till  night  on  the 
day  Jerome  and  Hus  are  burnt,"  squeaked  Ilarius,  his 
little  roving  eyes  aglow  with  malice. 

"First  of  all,"  remarked  Brancaccio,  "the  Archbishop 
must  complain  to  the  King,  and  Vok  von  Waldstein  must 
be  removed." 

After  a  long  interview,  during  which  the  Cardinal 
closely  questioned  Ilarius  concerning  Vok  von  Waldstein, 
his  father,  and  other  of  the  nobility  who  were  allied  to 
Hus,  he  released  the  monk,  ordering  him  to  tell  the 
Countess  Jan  that  he  would  visit  her  two  days  later.  In 
this  way  he  would  avoid  a  meeting  with  both  Counts,  who 
had  gone  for  some  days  to  Totchnik,  where  the  count  was 

lying. 

None  of  these  pious  cronies  had  observed  that  Bran- 
caccio's  page,  whom  he  had  sent  to  rest,  had  slipped  be- 
hind the  curtains  and  had  not  lost  a  word  of  their  con- 
versation. When  Ilarius  began  to  take  his  leave,  the  page 
darted  out  like  a  shadow,  and,  stretching  himself  upon 
his  couch,  pretended  to  be  asleep. 

This  page  was  a  beautiful  youth,  of  middle  height,  very 
slender,  almost  lean.  His  face  was  framed  by  thick,  fair, 
reddish  hair  with  a  metallic  tinge.  His  large,  black, 
168 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

languishing  eyes  wore  a  saturnine  expression,  especially 
now,  as  he  crept  beneath  the  coverlets,  murmuring: 

"By  what  villainies  and  tears  of  blood  this  body  of 
reprobates  will  stain  their  path ! ' ' 

Two  days  later  Brancaccio  was  in  the  company  of  his 
cousin  in  the  Waldstein  palace.  The  Countess's  eyes 
were  swollen  with  crying.  She  sat  imparting  to  the  Car- 
dinal her  grief  concerning  the  manifest  heresy  of  her 
husband  and  son,  and  trying  anxiously  to  elicit  from  him 
whether  the  indulgences  she  already  possessed  would  be 
sufficient  to  expiate  their  apostasy.  Brancaccio  reas- 
sured her  upon  this  point,  while  advising  her  for  the  sake 
of  perfect  safety  to  become  possessed  of  a  special  indul- 
gence from  among  those  which  the  Holy  Father's  gener- 
osity had  now  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  faithful. 

The  Cardinal's  refusal  to  stay  at  their  house  occa- 
sioned in  the  Countess  a  fresh  outburst  of  tears. 

"Know,  Cousin  Giovanna,"  said  the  Cardinal,  touched 
by  her  despair,  "that  a  prince  of  the  Church  cannot  re- 
ceive the  hospitality  of  heretics  who  defame  those  things 
which  are  most  sacred  to  him.  But  I  will  often  visit  you, 
and  hope  that  both  the  Counts,  if  only  out  of  respect  for 
my  rank  and  for  me,  their  relative,  will  refrain  from 
openly  insulting  me. ' ' 

Then  he  inquired  about  Rugena,  and  whether  she  too 
had  been  affected  by  the  heresy. 

"Alas !  Hus  is  her  confessor,  and  I  need  say  no  more. 
Though  her  behavior  is  blameless.  Do  you  desire  to  see 
her,  Cousin  Thomasso  ?  She  hath  gone  to  accompany  Vok- 

169 


THE     TORCH-BEAREES     OF    BOHEMIA 

and  my  husband,  but  may  return  at  any  moment.     Here 
she  is,  I  think.     I  hear  the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs." 

Brancaccio  went  to  the  window  and  drew  aside  the 
edge  of  the  curtain  which  covered  it.  He  gazed  at 
Rugena  with  eyes  wide-open  with  astonishment,  as  she 
and  Anna,  escorted  by  Broda  and  Matthias,  trotted 
lightly  up  to  the  steps  of  the  house.  She  was  mounted 
upon  a  beautiful  white  horse  covered  with  a  handsome 
cloth,  and  she  rode  it  like  an  experienced  horsewoman. 
The  quick  ride  had  brought  a  faint  rosy  flush  to  her  usu- 
ally pale  cheeks.  The  clinging  folds  of  her  black  velvet 
riding-habit  revealed  her  graceful  figure,  and  her  golden 
curls  loosened  by  the  wind  gleamed  in  the  sunshine. 

A  deep  flush  suddenly  suffused  the  Cardinal's  face  and 
his  black  eyes  glowed.  But  Brancaccio  was  an  adept  at 
concealing  his  feelings,  and  when  he  turned  from  the 
window  his  face  wore  an  expression  of  indifference. 

"The  woman  has  fulfilled  the  promise  of  childhood," 
he  remarked  patronizingly.  "The  Countess  Rugena  is 
charming,  and  I  shall  be  rejoiced  to  renew  my  acquaint- 
ance with  her.  I  will  accept  your  invitation,  Madonna 
Giovanna,  and  remain  to  dine  with  you  and  your  fair 
daughter-in-law. ' ' 

Rugena  met  Brancaccio  with  respect  but  with  reserve. 
His  assured  manner  and  tall  figure  invested  him  with  a 
certain  dignity.  It  could  not  fail  to  produce  an  effect 
upon  her,  notwithstanding  her  somewhat  inimical  and 
irreligious  attitude  towards  the  priesthood  which  was 
nourished  by  the  spirit  of  the  times. 
170 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

When  the  courtly  Cardinal  began  in  a  most  friendly 
manner  to  converse  with  her  about  her  past,  calling  to 
inind  her  father,  Rugena's  distrust  of  him  was  finally  dis- 
persed. 

Brancaccio's  words  revived  her  childish  recollections, 
and  she  remembered  seeing  him  at  Waldstein  on  the  eve 
of  that  fatal  day  on  which  Baron  Svietomir  departed,  to 
return  only  in  his  coffin.  She  remembered  that  her 
father  was  then  amicably  disposed  towards  the  Bishop, 
who  was  with  him  during  his  last  moments.  All  these 
circumstances  were  propitious  to  Brancaccio,  and  Rugena, 
when  taking  leave  of  him,  asked  his  blessing  in  all  sin- 
cerity. 

From  that  day  the  Cardinal  became  a  constant  guest  at 
the  "Waldsteins '  palace,  and,  what  was  most  surprising  of 
all,  was  as  cordially  received  by  the  young  as  by  the  elder 
Countess.  Vok  was  displeased  by  these  visits,  and  looked 
askance  at  them.  He  was  convinced  that  Brancaccio, 
like  most  priests,  was  a  rascal,  particularly  as  he  was  the 
nephew  of  Baldassare  Cossa.  But  he  was  assured  of  his 
wife 's  fidelity,  and  did  not  wish  to  quarrel  again  with  his 
mother.  Besides  which,  the  young  Count  was  too  heed- 
less to  dwell  for  long  on  disturbing  thoughts,  and  he  had 
so  much  to  distract  him  during  his  constant  and  pro- 
longed absences  from  home  occasioned  by  his  attendance 
upon  the  King  that  at  times  he  forgot  the  very  existence 
of  the  "papal  spy"  as  he  termed  Brancaccio.  He  little 
suspected  what  a  terrible  threat  hung  above  his  head 
through  the  skilful  machinations  of  the  perfidious  Italian, 

171 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

who  hated  him  doubly  as  a  scoffer  at  the  Church  and  as 
the  husband  of  Rugena. 

The  second  reason  was,  indeed,  the  more  powerful. 
The  young  woman 's  striking  beauty  and  spiritual  purity 
were  especially  alluring  to  a  roue  like  Brancaccio,  who 
had  already  tasted  everything  in  life.  A  storm  of  pas- 
sion was  raging  in  the  Cardinal's  dark  soul,  which  in- 
creased in  fury  day  by  day.  Profligate  by  nature,  put- 
ting no  limits  upon  his  desires,  he  thirsted  at  all  costs  to 
possess  Rugena — by  force  or  cunning.  In  his  resource- 
ful mind  he  had  conceived  a  fiendish  plan  which  de- 
manded first  of  all  an  irreparable  estrangement  between 
husband  and  wife. 

It  was  necessary  to  gain  Rugena 's  confidence,  and  this 
he  succeeded  in  doing  by  his  simulated  benevolence  and 
the  Christian  forbearance  he  displayed  in  his  pronounce- 
ments upon  the  events  of  the  day.  Emboldened  by  this 
attitude  Rugena  spoke  to  him  of  her  confessor,  endeavor- 
ing to  exonerate  him  from  the  accusations  leveled  against 
him.  Brancaccio  listened  to  her  indulgently,  and  al- 
though he  refused  to  meet  Hus  personally,  promised  to 
use  his  influence  with  the  Pope  to  put  an  end  to  his  trial, 
eaying  that  he  was  now  convinced  that  Hus  was  a  devoted 
son  of  the  Church  who  had  been  led  astray  only  by  his 
excessive  zeal  for  truth. 


172 


MATTHIAS  noted  with  ever-growing  mistrust  and  dis- 
quietude Brancaccio's  frequent  visits  and  his  friendly 
relations  with  the  young  Countess.  He  could  not  forget 
the  suspicious,  perhaps  criminal,  role  Brancaccio  had 
played  at  the  time  of  the  death  of  Baron  Waldstein,  who, 
the  old  servant  was  firmly  persuaded,  had  been  the  victim 
of  a  foul  murder.  Matthias  was  constantly  haunted  by 
the  thought  that  Brancaccio  might  be  dangerous  to 
JJugena,  and  he  communicated  his  fears  to  Broda,  with 
whom  he  was  on  very  friendly  terms.  He  could  not 
bring  himself  to  reveal  the  whole  truth,  but  confessed 
that  it  alarmed  him  to  witness  the  long  conversations  of 
the  young  Countess  with  the  Italian  Cardinal,  whom  he 
considered  a  dissolute  villain,  as  a  proof  of  which  he  told 
how  he  had  detected  a  disguised  woman  in  Brancaccio's 
suite  in  Pilsen. 

"I'll  wager  that  the  page  Tullius  who  waits  upon  him 
now  is  also  some  make  of  female." 

This  hint  was  not  made  in  vain.  Broda 's  attention 
was  aroused,  and  he  began  to  watch  the  page,  who  often 
came  to  the  house ;  sometimes  with  the  Cardinal  himself, 
sometimes  upon  a  mission  from  him.  He  very  quickly 
reached  two  decisions:  firstly  that  Tullius  was  undoubt- 
edly a  woman,  and  secondly  that  she  hated  Brancaccio. 

173 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Deep  suffering  was  expressed  in  the  mournful  glance  of 
the  page  and  in  the  bitter  lines  about  his  mouth.  Then 
the  suspicion  awoke  in  Broda  that  this  must  be  some  vic- 
tim of  the  Cardinal's.  He  began  to  observe  the  page 
still  more  closely,  keeping  a  watch  upon  his  comings  and 
goings  in  the  Archbishop 's  palace. 

What  was  his  astonishment  on  one  occasion  at  behold- 
ing the  page,  wrapped  in  a  cloak,  his  face  hidden  in  the 
folds  of  his  hood  standing  within  the  Bethlehem  Chapel, 
where  he  listened  to  the  sermon  with  evident  emotion, 
and  eyes  full  of  tears.  Broda  followed  him,  and  observed 
how  in  a  dark  corner  he  threw  aside  the  cloak,  subse- 
quently returning  openly  towards  the  palace. 

Not  far  from  the  market-place  Broda  overtook  the 
page,  greeted  him,  and  invited  him  to  accompany  him  to 
a  tavern  to  drink  a  cup  of  wine.  Tullius  glanced  at  him 
mistrustfully. 

"I  thank  you,"  he  answered  coldly,  "but,  methinks 
you  are  not  amicably  disposed  unto  my  lord  .  .  .  and  as 
a  faithful  servant  I  deem  it  not  meet  to  drink  with  you. ' ' 

"Well  spoken,  boy.  But  unless  you  deem  it  a  neces- 
sity to  be  an  enemy  to  all  that  love  not  the  Cardinal, 
accept  my  invitation.  Our  discourse  perhaps  may 
please  you." 

The  page  gazed  searchingly  into  Broda 's  frank  and 
honest  eyes. 

"A  cup  of  wine  can  bind  me  to  nothing,"  he  said  at 
last.  "Come,  then,  sir." 

Broda  led  his  companion  to  a  tavern  with  which  he 
174 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

was  acquainted,  and  whispered  the  host  to  show  him  a 
private  room  and  bring  thither  wine,  fruit,  and  honey- 
cakes.  When  the  inn-keeper  left  the  room,  closing  the 
door  behind  him,  Tullius  suddenly  broke  into  laughter. 

"Honey-cakes?"  he  said  with  a  sly  smile.  "One 
might  think  that  you  were  about  to  feast  your  mistress. ' ' 

"In  any  case  I  feast  a  pretty  woman,  Tullius!"  an- 
swered Broda,  patting  the  page  significantly  upon  the 
shoulder. 

The  page  turned  white,  then  crimson. 

"A  lie!"  he  cried,  in  a  voice  unlike  his  own,  seizing  his 
dagger. 

"Drop  that,  sweetheart!  'T would  not  stand  against 
my  sword.  But  I  swear  I  have  no  evil  intentions  to- 
wards you.  I  would  merely  tell  you,  signora,  that  I  have 
long  known  Brancaccio's  habit  to  bear  a  hidden  woman 
with  him.  I  have  remarked  that  you  have  no  love  for  the 
reverend  Thomasso.  And  when  a  young  and  beautiful 
woman  like  you  plays  a  shameful  role  for  a  man  she 
hates  it  means  that  she  is  forced  to  do  it  and  therefore 
deserving  of  pity  and  help  from  every  honest  man.  And 
I  offer  you  this  help,  in  no  way  seeking  to  penetrate  your 
pecrets.  If  you  reject  my  offer  then  I  swear  on  this" — 
and  he  raised  the  cross-shaped  handle  of  his  sword — "to 
forget  our  encounter  and  leave  you  to  go  your  ways." 

Tullius  (or  Tullia)  listened  to  him  with  distracted  air, 
with  difficulty  repressing  her  sighs,  and  suddenly  sank  on 
to  a  chair. 

"It  is  true!  I  am  a  woman,"  she  said  in  a  low  voice. 

175 


THE     TOKCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  am  put  to  shame  and  cannot  defend  myself,  for  that 
shame  is  ...  voluntary;  incurred  for  the  safeguarding 
of  another  who  was  dear  to  me.  Mine  is  a  long  story, 
but,  believe  me,  signor,  I  am  no  harlot. ' ' 

"Had  I  thought  that  I  should  not  have  spoken  thus  to 
you.  You  are  but  the  luckless  victim  of  the  unclean  love 
of  that  villainous  monk. ' ' 

Tullia  sat  up,  and  her  eyes  were  filled  with  a  fierce 
hatred. 

''Love?  Can  he  love,  even  uncleanly?"  she  cried. 
"No,  the  monster  knoweth  nought  save  brutal  animal 
passion.  Oh,  I  have  not  words  to  describe  the  loathing 
with  which  he  fills  me" — and  she  pressed  both  hands  to 
her  breast.  "If  I  have  not  fled  from  him  till  now,  or 
sought  refuge  in  death  'tis  only  that  I  desire  first  to  be 
revenged  on  him.  I  follow  his  every  step,  and  have  al- 
ready foiled  more  than  one  of  his  plans  while  he  doth  not 
suspect  from  whence  the  blow  hath  fallen.  I  do  but 
await  the  chance  to  destroy  him  finally  ere  he  despatch 
me,  as  he  did  my  predecessors." 

She  shook  as  though  in  fever,  and  Broda  tried  with  all 
his  power  to  soothe  her.  They  became  friends,  and  Tul- 
lia informed  him  at  parting  that  something  was  being 
plotted  against  the  Waldsteins,  and  promised  to  warn 
him  as  soon  as  she  could  discover  exactly  what  it  was. 

They  left  the  inn  by  separate  doors. 

And  Brancaccio  was  indeed  contemplating  the  destruc- 
tion of  Vok,  the  most  insolent  and  daring  blasphemer 
against  the  Church.  He  must  be  made  to  pay  for  his 
176 


THE     TORCH-BEAREKS    OF    BOHEMIA 

buffoonery  in  arranging  the  procession,  and  for  having 
plundered  the  monasteries  and  mocked  at  the  priesthood. 
In  Harms  and  Bonaventura  the  Cardinal  had  two  de- 
voted followers.  The  last,  especially,  was  consumed  with 
personal  hatred  against  the  young  Count  because  of  an 
adventure  which  had  befallen  him,  for  which  he  held  Vok 
responsible.  On  one  occasion,  Father  Bonaventura,  when 
returning  from  the  New  Town  to  the  Archbishop's  pal- 
ace, was  set  upon  by  a  group  of  unknown  people  who 
dragged  him  into  the  courtyard  of  some  house,  and  there 
gave  him  a  sound  thrashing.  The  miscreants  subse- 
quently fled,  taking  with  them  his  boots  and  cassock,  so 
that  he  returned  home  in  his  shirt.  But  the  monk  had 
heard  some  one  cry  out, ' '  'Tis  he ! "  before  he  was  seized, 
and  the  voice  had  sounded  to  him  like  that  of  Vok  von 
Waldstein. 

Brancaccio's  passion  increased  day  by  day,  fed  by  the 
very  impossibility  of  its  being  appeased.  Sometimes  he 
even  felt  the  lack  of  power  to  conceal  it  any  longer,  and 
with  the  licentiousness  common  to  the  age,  and  the  in- 
solent audacity  which  his  long  impunity  implanted  in 
him,  he  decided  to  hasten  the  conclusion. 

Once,  Brancaccio  appeared  at  the  Waldsteins'  house 
earlier  after  midday  than  was  his  wont,  and  going 
straight  to  Rugena  said  that  he  had  brought  her  a  pres- 
ent as  a  souvenir,  in  view  of  his  approaching  departure. 
From  a  small  case  he  drew  forth  a  finely  worked  medal- 
lion in  the  form  of  a  heart,  set  with  rubies  and  brilliants. 

"It  was  lately  sent  me  from  Rome.  It  containeth  a 

177 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

fragment  of  the  True  Cross  and  the  finger-nails  of  some 
holy  martyrs  whose  relics  have  just  been  unearthed  in 
the  catacombs.  I  felt  I  could  not  do  better  than  confide 
these  sacred  things  into  your  innocent  hands. ' ' 

Touched  by  this  attention  on  the  part  of  the  Cardinal, 
Rugena  thanked  him  warmly. 

"May  it  bring  you  happiness,"  he  concluded  with 
apparent  feeling.  "Methinks,  my  daughter,  that  you  are 
not  happy,  though  you  have  never  bestowed  your  confi- 
dence upon  me,  or  opened  your  heart  to  me. ' ' 

"I  have  not  ventured  to  trouble  Your  Eminence," 
Rugena  answered  in  confusion. 

* c  That  was  not  well,  my  daughter !  Believe  me  that  I 
feel  disposed  towards  you  as  a  father,  and  I  have  a 
weighty  reason  for  my  desire  to  see  into  your  soul.  But 
I  would  liefer  speak  with  you  in  your  oratory. ' ' 

Rugena  looked  at  him  in  surprise.  But  it  seemed  to 
her  impossible  to  refuse  such  a  simple  request  on  the 
part  of  a  member  of  the  priesthood,  especially  one  of 
such  high  standing  as  Brancaccio.  And  besides,  her 
curiosity  was  aroused.  Rising  immediately,  she  led  the 
Cardinal  to  her  oratory,  motioning  him  towards  an  arm- 
chair, while  she  herself  sank  on  her  knees  beside  him,  at 
the  reading-desk. 

"Nay,  my  daughter,  I  am  not  minded  to  confess  you. 
You  have  your  own  spiritual  director,  and  I  wish  not  to 
intrude  upon  his  rights.  I  wish  you  but  to  tell  me  as  a 
priest  and  friend  whether  you  love  and  respect  your  hus- 
band, and  whether  indeed  you  are  happy  with  him." 
178 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Brancaccio's  tone  and  glance  were  so  stern  that 
Rugena  murmured  in  confusion: 

"I  strive  to  love  Vok  from  a  sense  of  duty.  .  .  .  But 
he  hath  so  oft  insulted  and  betrayed  me,  our  natures 
are  so  at  variance,  that  I  am  sometimes  very  full  of 
grief." 

"Have  you  felt  no  desire  to  rend  your  chains?  ..." 

He  stopped,  seeing  that  Rugena  had  flushed  deeply. 
"Your  face  hath  given  me  clear  answer,"  he  said,  "and 
shows  me  how  to  act  to  save  you  from  remorse  of  con- 
science. I  have  involuntarily  contributed  to  your  un- 
happiness." 

"I  do  not  understand  you." 

"You  will  soon  understand.  But  can  you  keep  silence 
till  a  given  moment  ? ' ' 

"Most  surely,  if  'tis  needful,"  she  answered,  with 
alarm  in  her  voice. 

Brancaccio  rose,  and  looked  through  the  door  into  the 
neighboring  room.  Satisfying  himself  that  there  was 
nobody  in  it  he  returned  to  his  place  and  bent  over 
Rugena. 

"I  promise  you  the  possibility  to  seek  happiness  in 
another  love  more  worthy  of  you,  and  that  the  Church 
will  break  the  fetters  which  bind  you  to  a  man  whom  it  is 
not  even  your  duty  to  love,  for  he  became  possessed  of 
you  through  crime." 

"What  say  you?    What  crime?"  cried  Rugena,  dully. 

"The  murder  of  your  father." 

Seeing  that  Rugena  swayed,  and  nearly  fell,  the  Car- 

179 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

dinal  drew  a  little  bottle  from  his  pocket  and  held  it  to 
her  nostrils. 

"Take  courage,  my  child.  Listen  to  what  I  have  to 
reveal  to  you. ' ' 

Rugena  pressed  her  hands  to  her  head.  She  felt  that 
she  was  hastening  to  destruction;  but  she  desired  at  all 
costs  to  learn  the  truth,  and  by  a  desperate  effort  of  will 
controlled  her  weakness. 

' '  Speak,  I  hear  you ! ' ' 

"You  belike  remember  Giuseppa,  the  Countess's  Italian 
waiting-woman,  who  was  married  in  Bologna  in  the  same 
year  as  yourself?" 

"Yes." 

"That  woman  died  some  weeks  before  my  coming 
hither.  But  before  her  death  she  communicated  to  me  in 
confession  the  details  of  a  certain  act  of  villainy,  and 
permitted  me  to  use  her  depositions  as  I  might  find  need- 
ful. This  is  what  I  learnt  from  her.  In  the  year  your 
father  died  Count  Vok  was  sixteen  and  Giuseppa  was  his 
mistress.  The  Waldsteins  were  at  that  time  nearly  beg- 
gared through  the  prodigality  of  the  old  Count,  and  the 
sole  means  of  saving  themselves  from  ruin  was  to  seize 
the  enormous  property  of  Baron  Svietomir  by  bestowing 
you  on  Vok  in  marriage.  Negotiations  were  commenced, 
and  your  father  was  favorably  inclined  towards  the  plan, 
for  he  loved  his  cousin,  with  whose  political  convictions 
alone  he  was  at  variance.  I  spoke  to  him  personally 
about  it  at  the  time  when  I  was  with  you  at  Rabstein,  and 
we  repaired  together  to  Prague,  where  the  Baron  was  to 
180 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

deliberate  upon  the  question  with  the  Count.  Your  hus- 
band, though  he  was  still  young,  knew  well  the  worth  of 
money,  and  wished  not  to  wait  for  years  to  profit  by 
your  great  inheritance.  Perhaps,  too,  his  father  urged 
him.  But  this  is  the  plan  they  conceived.  Giuseppa, 
being  much  in  love,  let  out  in  some  manner  to  her  lover 
that  she  had  from  her  mother  a  secret,  a  certain  poison 
which  killed  without  any  trace  whatever,  and  not  imme- 
diately, but  in  the  course  of  time,  according  to  the  dose. 
Swearing  her  to  silence,  Vok  commanded  Giuseppa  to 
prepare  the  poison  and  to  deliver  to  him  a  dose  which 
would  begin  to  act  only  after  several  hours,  and  would 
not  kill  before  two  days.  This  poison  was  administered 
to  your  father  in  the  hostel  at  which  he  stayed  in  Pilsen, 
by  a  servant  who  was  bought,  I  know  not  by  whose  means. 
The  crime  was  accomplished,  and  the  Baron  was  carried, 
dying,  to  his  cousin's  house.  Suspecting  nothing,  and 
touched  by  the  careful  nursing  he  received,  the  Baron 
dictated  the  will  that  is  known  to  you." 

Rugena  felt  benumbed.  She  began  to  breathe  heavily ; 
her  head  turned  giddy ;  and  her  heart  sank  in  her  breast. 
The  father  she  adored  had  been  treacherously  murdered ! 
His  murderer  was  her  husband !  .  .  . 

"Calm  yourself,  my  daughter,"  said  Brancaccio, 
alarmed  by  her  looks.  "I  understand  your  horror  at 
being  united  to  such  a  man;  and  I  again  repeat  to  you 
the  promise  that  you  may  be  freed  from  him. ' ' 

"I  thank  you,  my  father,  that  you  have  thus  opened 
my  eyes,"  murmured  Bugena,  dully. 

181 


THE     TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Yet  I  fear  me  you  will  have  no  strength  to  hide  the 
secret.  And  this  is  necessary  until  I  can  send  to  you 
from  Italy  the  document  confirming  the  depositions  of 
Giuseppa,  which  was  witnessed  in  my  presence. ' ' 

Rugena  thrust  her  hair  back  with  her  hands  and  drew 
herself  together.  She  was  terribly  white,  and  her  eyes 
gleamed  feverishly. 

"Yes,  I  will  be  silent,  and  hide  all,  for  I  wish  the 
guilty  to  be  convicted  of  the  murder,  and  punished  with 
all  the  severity  the  law  proclaims,"  she  said  in  a  low 
voice. 

"It  will  be  but  just.  The  blood  of  your  father  cries 
out  for  vengeance  from  his  untimely  grave." 

Only  the  grief  and  despair  raging  within  Rugena 's 
soul  could  have  prevented  her  from  turning  with  loath- 
ing from  a  servant  of  Christ's  Church  who  thus 
preached  hate  and  vengeance  instead  of  mercy.  At  that 
moment  she  had  entirely  lost  all  power  of  judgment,  all 
discernment. 

"My  father  shall  be  avenged.  I  will  contrive  that  he 
return  not  before  to-morrow." 

At  supper  that  evening  Brancaccio  was  evidently  in 
excellent  spirits.  But  it  did  not  escape  Anna 's  watchful- 
ness that  her  friend's  thoughts  were  straying,  and  that 
her  eyes  burnt  feverishly.  To  her  questions  Rugena  an- 
swered that  her  head  ached,  and  Anna  left  the  room  to 
fetch  some  medicine  for  her.  During  her  absence  Bran- 
caccio, unobserved,  poured  into  the  young  Countess's 
182 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

goblet  something  from  a  little  bottle  concealed  in  the 
palm  of  his  hand. 

After  supper  the  Cardinal  immediately  took  leave  and 
departed,  and  Rugena,  pleading  headache,  retired  to  her 
apartments.  She  felt  it,  in  truth,  an  imperative  neces- 
sity to  be  left  alone. 

She  hastily  undressed,  and  sending  every  one,  even 
Anna,  from  her,  began  feverishly  to  pace  from  corner  to 
corner  of  the  room. 

She  was  thinking  of  her  father,  recalling  him,  hand- 
some and  full  of  vigor  as  he  was  when  he  left  Rabstein 
Castle,  and  she  was  suddenly  possessed  by  an  unreason- 
ing fury.  It  was  for  such  a  scoundrel,  who  had  dared  to 
stretch  his  bloodstained  hands  towards  her,  that  she  had 
renounced  Jerome  and  engaged  in  that  cruel  moral 
struggle  to  forget  the  man  she  loved  and  fulfil  that  which 
she  had  thought  to  be  her  duty.  Her  head  swam,  and  she 
felt  that  she  was  about  to  swoon. 

"I  am  overheated!  I  must  get  quickly  into  bed,"  she 
thought. 

Her  legs  would  scarcely  obey  her,  and  it  was  with 
great  difficulty  that  she  reached  the  bed.  She  had 
scarcely  lain  down  upon  it  when  she  fell  into  a  deep  and 
heavy  sleep. 

Quite  unexpectedly  the  two  Counts  returned  home  that 
evening.  On  hearing  that  his  wife  was  ill,  Vok,  not  wish- 
ing to  disturb  her,  went  to  a  separate  sleeping-apartment, 
where  supper  was  served  him ;  and  afterwards — since  he 
also  felt  strangely  unwell — he  hastened  to  go  to  bed. 

183 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Midnight  fell,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  Waldsteins' 
house  were  wrapped  in  deep  sleep. 

Broda  alone  was  awake,  engrossed  as  usual  in  the  read- 
ing of  the  Scriptures.  Suddenly  a  little  stone  was  flung 
against  his  window,  followed  by  a  second  and  a  third. 

Broda  jumped  to  his  feet.  This  was  the  night-signal 
resolved  upon  by  him  and  Tullia  in  the  case  of  her  wish- 
ing to  communicate  to  him  something  of  importance 
which  could  not  be  deferred.  He  ran  down  to  the  house- 
door,  the  key  of  which  he  kept,  and  admitted  the  page, 
who  was  pale  and  out  of  breath. 

"Some  danger  threatens  your  young  signora,"  said 
Tullia,  hurriedly.  "Thomasso  when  he  returned  this 
evening  ordered  Bonaventura  hastily  to  proceed  to  Ilarius 
to  pass  the  night  with  him,  and  at  midnight  to  open  the 
door  which  leads  into  the  lane.  You  understand  that 
they  can  be  no  good  intentions  which  prompt  these 
wretches  to  steal  into  your  house,  especially  during  the 
young  Count's  absence.  I  could  not  hear  all,  but  I  heard 
something  about  a  sleeping  mixture  administered  that 
none  should  disturb  them.  ..." 

"Count  Vok  hath  unexpectedly  returned." 

"So  much  the  better!  Perhaps  Bonaventura  hath  in- 
formed the  Cardinal  of  this,  for  he  should  be  here  by  now. 
I  was  but  a  few  moments  in  advance  of  him. ' ' 

"Wait  you  here,  and  I  will  see  what  is  going  forward." 


184 


VI 

SEIZING  his  dagger,  Broda  ran  from  the  room,  and  has- 
tened, first  of  all,  to  Vok.  The  young  Count  was  fast 
asleep.  That  meant  that  Rugena  was  alone,  and  Broda 
began  to  shake  the  sleeper,  to  warn  him  that  an  unex- 
pected visitor  was  about  to  enter  his  house.  But  all  his 
efforts  to  awaken  Vok  were  useless,  and  but  for  his 
breathing  he  might  have  been  taken  for  dead.  Broda,  in 
alarm,  was  considering  what  to  do  further,  when  sud- 
denly he  heard  a  noise  as  of  some  one  knocking  against 
furniture  in  the  adjoining  room.  Instantly  he  sprang 
aside  and  slipped  behind  the  curtain  of  the  bed.  Almost 
at  the  same  moment  a  small,  nimble  figure  appeared  in 
the  doorway  and  glided  like  a  shadow  towards  the  bed. 

To  Broda 's  intense  astonishment  he  recognized  Bona- 
ventura.  The  tiny,  sharp,  malignant  eyes  of  the  monk 
glanced  furtively  round  the  room,  and  his  thin,  fox-like 
face  expressed  fiendish  malice. 

Bending  over  the  sleeper  he  listened  to  his  breathing 
and  lifted  one  of  his  hands,  which  fell  back  lifelessly  on 
to  the  coverlet.  Then  he  seized  a  silken  cushion  from  an 
armchair  at  the  foot  of  the  bed,  and  laid  it  upon  his  face. 
Vok  gave  a  slight  moan. 

But  at  that  moment  Broda  seized  the  monk  by  the 
neck,  dragged  him  backwards  and  thrust  his  dagger  into 

185 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

his  throat.  Bonaventura  fell  on  to  the  steps  of  the  dais, 
without  uttering  a  cry,  or  relinquishing  his  hold  upon 
the  cushion.  Broda,  without  a  glance  at  him,  drew  his 
dagger  from  the  wound,  and  hastened  without  delay  to 
the  apartments  of  Rugena. 

"We  have  said  above  that  Anna  had  remarked  Rugena 's 
unusually  excited  condition,  and  had  watched  her  with 
some  alarm.  She  had  at  first  been  offended  by  the  unac- 
customed sharpness  of  tone  with  which  the  Countess  had 
dismissed  her,  and  in  a  mood  of  estrangement  she  re- 
paired to  her  room  and  began  to  undress.  But  love  for 
her  friend  and  anxiety  concerning  her  welfare  prevailed, 
and,  wrapping  a  wide  night-mantle  around  her,  she  crept 
noiselessly  to  Rugena 's  room.  Through  an  opening  in 
the  curtains  she  beheld  Rugena  walking  feverishly  back- 
wards and  forwards,  and  then  creeping  slowly  towards 
the  bed  and  falling  helplessly  upon  it.  Waiting  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour,  Anna  silently  entered  the  room  and 
drew  near  to  the  bed.  The  Countess  was  asleep,  breath- 
ing with  difficulty,  and  her  face,  though  burning,  was  as 
white  as  death. 

"My  God!  If  she  is  ill  again!"  murmured  Anna,  in 
terror  seizing  her  friend 's  moist,  cold  hand. 

"A  doctor  should  be  summoned,  but  where  shall  we 
find  one  at  such  an  hour?"  she  thought  in  despair. 
What  could  she  do?  Quickly  Anna  resolved  to  remain 
for  the  night  beside  the  bedside  of  her  friend,  and,  in 
case  of  new  and  alarming  symptoms,  to  waken  Matthias 
and  despatch  him  for  a  doctor. 
186 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

She  sat  down  in  the  armchair  by  the  bed,  and  leaning 
her  head  upon  her  hand,  began  to  think  of  the  past,  of  the 
future,  and  of  Svietomir,  of  whom  for  two  years  they 
had  heard  no  tidings. 

A  neighboring  bell  striking  midnight  roused  Anna 
from  her  thoughts. 

"How  late  it  is!  But  I  shall  still  sit  here  awhile. 
Later,  I  will  call  Itka  to  take  my  place." 

After  a  quarter  of  an  hour  Anna  fell  into  a  doze. 

The  sound  of  light  footsteps  caused  her  to  open  her 
eyes.  She  listened  in  astonishment.  For  the  second  time 
she  plainly  heard  the  creak  of  boards  in  the  corridor  lead- 
ing into  the  robe-room,  where  there  were  trunks  and 
cupboards.  She  was  trying  to  imagine  what  the  noise 
could  be  when  the  door  from  the  corridor  opened,  and  a 
tall  figure,  wrapped  in  a  dark  cloak,  crept  into  the  room. 

Anna  froze  with  terror  at  sight  of  the  unknown,  who 
promptly  threw  off  his  cloak  and  strode  straight  towards 
the  bed.  Then  she  recognized  him.  It  was  Brancaccio. 
He  was  in  secular  clothes,  and  the  handle  of  a  dagger 
gleamed  in  his  belt.  Such  bestial  lust  was  painted  on  his 
face  that  the  young  girl  shuddered  from  head  to  foot. 

But  Anna  was  courageous  by  nature,  and  the  excite- 
ment gave  her  fresh  courage.  She  stood  firmly  before 
the  Cardinal. 

"What  seek  you  here  in  this  room?  You  should  not 
dare  to  enter  at  such  an  unseemly  hour.  Begone,  or  I 
will  call  for  aid!"  Vehemently  she  began  to  shake 
Rugena  with  all  her  strength,  crying  aloud : 

187 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Awake!     Awake!" 

Brancaccio  drew  back,  and  a  terrible  oath  escaped  him. 
The  presence  of  a  witness  at  the  moment  when  he  was  so 
near  the  attainment  of  his  object  filled  him  with  fury. 

"Away,  thou  serpent!  Dare  not  to  stand  in  my  path 
or  I  will  kill  thee ! "  he  hissed,  in  a  voice  hoarse  with  rage. 

Then,  seeing  Anna 's  vain  efforts  to  awaken  Rugena,  he 
laughed  maliciously. 

"Spend  not  thy  strength,  fair  Anna.  Thou  canst  not 
waken  her !  But  as  the  devil  himself  hath  led  thee  hither, 
thou  too  shalt  pay  me  tribute. ' ' 

The  monstrous  thought  flashed  through  his  mind  that 
he  would  violate  Anna  and  then  kill  her,  so  as  to  be 
assured  of  her  silence.  She  alone  could  betray  his  vil- 
lainy, so  skilfully  had  everything  been  thought  out  be- 
forehand. Seizing  Anna  he  dragged  her  from  the  bed, 
at  which  she  clutched,  trying  to  throw  her  down.  She 
defended  herself  desperately;  but  she  could  neither 
scream  nor  call  for  help,  her  throat  being  paralyzed  with 
terror.  Her  cries  froze  on  her  lips,  but  her  strength  ap- 
peared to  be  redoubled,  and  Brancaccio  had  need  of  his 
adroitness. 

Beside  himself  with  rage  and  malice,  the  Cardinal  tried 
to  draw  his  stiletto  without  releasing  the  young  girl  from 
his  grasp.  His  fiery  breath  scorched  her  face,  and  she 
bit  him  in  the  cheek.  The  terrible  pain  deprived  Bran- 
caccio of  all  self-control.  Drunk  with  rage  he  uttered  a 
muffled  roar  and  seized  her  by  the  throat. 
188 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

She  fell  back,  half-stifled.  She  felt  as  though  her 
brain  were  bursting.  Horror  at  the  outrage  committed 
upon  her  was  drowned  in  the  unbearable  pain.  She  lost 
consciousness.  .  .  . 

At  that  moment  the  door  burst  open  and  Broda  rushed 
into  the  room.  One  glance  sufficed  to  show  him  what 
had  happened.  With  a  savage  cry  he  rushed  at  Bran- 
caccio  and  plunged  his  dagger  in  his  back. 

The  Cardinal  dropped  to  the  ground,  his  arms  help- 
lessly spread,  and  lay  motionless.  Broda  thrust  him 
aside  with  his  foot,  and  bent  over  Anna,  who  was  lying 
as  though  dead. 

"Heavens!  "What  hath  happened?"  cried  Itka,  run- 
ning into  the  room  holding  a  candle,  half-dressed  and 
with  her  hair  hanging  in  disorder.  Looking  round,  and 
realizing  what  had  occurred,  she  dropped  the  candle- 
stick and  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

"There  will  be  time  for  lamentation  afterwards,  Itka," 
said  Broda,  picking  up  the  candle  and  placing  it  on  the 
table.  "But  run,  now,  and  wake  Matthias.  Tell  him  to 
hasten  quickly  hither  to  bear  away  this  unhappy  girl, 
and  cast  forth  this  swine.  Then  must  we  succor  our 
lady,  who  is  sleeping  an  unnatural  sleep, ' '  he  added,  ap- 
proaching the  bed  and  carefully  examining  the  pale  face 
of  Rugena,  who  lay,  as  before,  in  utter  unconsciousness 
of  what  was  proceeding  around  her. 

"Poor  lady!  'Twas  the  spirit  of  thy  father  protected 
thee,"  he  murmured. 

189 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

After  a  few  moments  Matthias  appeared,  and  between 
them  they  carried  Anna  to  her  room  and  left  her  to  the 
care  of  Itka. 

"And  now,"  said  Broda,  "I  will  go  and  awaken  the 
old  Count.  'Twill  be  better  to  await  his  orders.  Let 
him  himself  see  where  these  villains  lie,  so  that  later  no 
suspicion  may  be  cast  on  us. ' ' 

But  before  going  to  the  Count  Broda  returned  to  his 
room  to  tell  Tullia  of  what  had  occurred. 

"Ah!  He  is  dead!  At  last  his  soul  hath  returned  to 
Hell  whence  it  came, ' '  she  cried  joyfully. 

"My  masters  will  reward  you  for  the  service  you  have 
rendered  to-night,"  said  Broda,  warmly  pressing  her 
hand. 

Count  Ginek  and  his  wife  occupied  rooms  at  the  oppo- 
site end  of  the  palace.  When  Broda  burst  in  upon  them 
like  a  hurricane  and  began  to  tell  them  what  had  hap- 
pened the  old  Count  at  first  could  not  believe  his  ears, 
while  the  Countess  understood  nothing  but  that  Bran- 
caccio  and  Bonaventura  had  both  been  killed.  This 
seemed  to  her  so  frightful  that  she  broke  into  sobs, 
shrieks,  and  abuse,  nearly  flinging  herself  upon  Broda  to 
strangle  him. 

But  when  the  Count  had  made  her  understand  that 
Broda  had  saved  the  life  of  her  son,  whom  Bonaventura 
had  tried  to  suffocate,  she  sprang  from  her  bed,  and 
rushed  barefoot  to  Vok's  room.  Beholding  Bonaventura 
lying  in  a  pool  of  blood,  still  clutching  the  tell-tale 
cushion  in  his  hand,  while  Vok  was  stretched  like  a  corpse 
190 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

upon  the  bed,  the  Countess  fell  in  a  faint  and  was  car- 
ried away. 

Broda  and  Matthias  had  scarcely  quitted  Rugena's 
room  when  Ilarius  crept  into  it,  pale  and  distracted.  He 
fell  upon  his  knees  beside  Brancaccio  and  leaning  his  ear 
towards  the  Cardinal's  breast  laid  his  trembling  hands 
upon  it.  Then  he  shivered  and  drew  himself  together. 
It  seemed  to  him  that  the  heart  was  beating,  though 
faintly.  "Without  delay  he  wrapped  the  Cardinal  in  his 
cloak  and  raising  him  beneath  the  armpits  dragged  him 
from  the  room. 

He  had  neared  the  door  when  Itka  entered  to  look  at 
Rugena,  having  given  Anna  into  the  care  of  another  serv- 
ant. She  drew  aside  in  silent  horror. 

Ilarius  conveyed  the  body  into  his  room,  and,  locking 
the  door  behind  him,  hastened  from  the  house,  returning 
quickly  with  some  monks  from  the  adjacent  monastery. 
They  laid  the  bodies  of  Bonaventura  and  the  Cardinal 
upon  a  stretcher,  and  carried  them  away  to  the  Arch- 
bishop's palace. 

Old  Count  Waldstein  smiled  scornfully  on  learning 
from  Itka  that  the  Cardinal's  body  had  been  carried  off 
by  Ilarius.  It  was  perhaps  better,  for  otherwise  the 
hideous  affair  would  have  awakened  much  noise  in  the 
town.  The  sight  of  Anna,  who  still  lay  unconscious, 
filled  the  Count 's  heart  with  wrath  and  pity. 

Rugena  awoke  late,  feeling  ill.  Her  head  was  as  heavy 
as  lead,  and  her  hands  and  feet  seemed  frozen.  She  was 

191 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

so  weak  that  it  was  difficult  for  her  to  think  or  remember. 
Nevertheless,  when  Itka  brought  her  some  milk  she  at 
once  remarked  her  nurse's  distracted  looks,  and  asked  if 
anything  had  happened  in  the  house. 

' '  Tell  me  the  truth.  I  must  know  all ! "  she  cried  com- 
mandingly,  seeing  that  the  nurse  hesitated  to  answer  her 
question. 

Itka  dared  no  longer  disobey,  and  related  the  incredible 
events  of  the  night,  at  first  omitting  some  of  the  details, 
but  afterwards  being  more  and  more  carried  away  by  the 
recital. 

Rugena  grew  red,  then  white,  at  hearing  of  the  danger 
by  which  she  had  been  threatened,  and  from  which  she 
had  escaped  merely  by  chance,  and  at  the  price  of  her 
friend's  dishonor. 

"Oh,  the  villain,  the  villain!  To  pest  such  crimes! 
God  saved  me,  but  Anna,  dear  Anna  is  ruined  in  my 
stead!  "What  doth  she  now?  I  wish  to  see  her.  Ah! 
Why  did  Broda  come  too  late  to  save  her  too?"  she  cried 
through  her  tears. 

"Calm  yourself,  lady!  The  poor  thing  sleeps.  The 
physician  hath  been  and  hath  given  her  a  medicine  to 
send  slumber  to  her.  When  she  came  to  herself  she  was 
like  one  bereft  of  reason,  and  he  feared  for  her  brain." 

"I  will  go  to  her." 

"Wait,  you  are  still  too  weak  yourself.  Marga  Nak- 
hodsky,  for  whom  I  sent,  is  with  her  now. ' ' 

When  Itka  began  to  speak  of  the  danger  that  had 
threatened  her  husband  Rugena  cut  her  short.  All  her 
192 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

wrath  against  Vok  and  Count  Ginek  had  revived.  If  the 
murderers  of  her  father  had  perished  it  would  have  been 
but  just.  It  never  entered  Rugena's  head  in  her  present 
state  of  agitation  that  such  a  villain  as  Brancaccio  might 
have  lied.  Her  conviction  of  their  guilt  was  even 
strengthened  when  she  noticed  that  Itka  was  embarrassed 
and  turned  pale  at  her  words. 

"Never  mention  to  me  the  name  of  that  scoundrel 
against  whom  my  father's  blood  cries  out!" 

"Itka,"  she  added,  beside  herself,  "if  thou  knowest 
something  of  that  crime  then  tell  it  me.  How  didst  thou 
dare  so  long  to  hide  the  truth  from  me,  how  didst  thou 
dare  let  me  contract  that  infamous  marriage?" 

"I  know  nothing  ..."  muttered  the  old  woman  in 
confusion.  "Matthias  did  but  suspect  the  will  was 
false." 

At  that  moment  the  door  opened,  and  both  Counts 
came  into  the  room.  Vok  looked  pale  and  distracted,  and 
was  leaning  on  his  father's  arm.  A  cold  douche  with 
friction  had  scarcely  served  to  rouse  him  from  his  heavy 
torpor.  The  story  of  the  night's  events  had> produced  a 
terrible  effect  on  him  and  had  roused  him  to  such  a  pitch 
of  fury  that  his  father  had  had  difficulty  in  calming  him 
by  the  assurance  that  the  culprits  had  been  killed,  and 
had  thus  paid  the  penalty  for  their  crimes. 

Strengthened  by  a  goblet  of  old  wine,  Vok  expressed 
the  desire  to  see  his  wife.  He  had  never  loved  her  so 
deeply  or  sincerely  as  at  that  moment  when  a  miracle  had 
preserved  her  purity  from  a  horrible  defilement. 

193 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

On  seeing  Rugena  pale  and  distraught,  her  eyes 
swollen  by  the  tears  which  still  were  coursing  down  her 
cheeks,  he  rushed  to  her  with  outstretched  arms. 

"Calm  thyself,  my  beloved!"  he  cried  and  made  to 
draw  her  to  him. 

But  Rugena  could  restrain  herself  no  longer.  Itka's 
words  concerning  the  falsity  of  the  will  still  sounded  in 
her  ears  and  seemed  to  support  Brancaccio's  accusation. 
Every  nerve  in  her  body  quivered,  and,  in  her  feverish 
imagination  her  father 's  spirit  stood  between  her  and  her 
husband. 

"Touch  me  not!"  she  cried,  wrenching  herself  free 
with  an  expression  of  such  horror  that  Vok  stopped  in 
bewilderment  and  dropped  his  arms. 

"Rugena!    Recollect  thyself!    Thou  art  raving!" 

"Not  so;  but  my  blindness  hath  departed.  Let  me  go 
back  to  Rabstein.  I  cannot  stay  another  hour  beneath 
thy  roof." 

The  Counts  exchanged  astonished  glances.  It  was 
clear  they  thought  her  mad.  Rugena  understood  their 
looks,  and  this  caused  a  new  convulsion  in  her  tortured 
soul. 

' '  Oh  no,  I  am  not  mad !  But  I  know  the  whole  truth 
about  my  father's  death,  and  no  longer  will  I  be  the  wife 
of  a  man  who  could  be  incited  by  his  father  to  kill  mine, ' ' 
she  muttered  brokenly. 

For  a  moment  the  Counts  were  petrified;  then  Vok's 
face  flushed  and  he  seized  Rugena 's  hand  and  pressed  it 
till  it  hurt  her. 
194 


THE     TORCH-BEAKERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

"What  meanest  thou?"  he  said  hoarsely.  "Explain 
thyself !  Such  accusations  must  be  proved. ' ' 

"There  is  proof  uncontestable — the  confession  of  thy 
former  mistress,  Giuseppa — though  it  hath  not  yet 
reached  my  hands.  But  for  thee  it  is  enough  to  know 
that  she  hath  made  full  confession  of  the  poisoning  she 
accomplished  at  thine  instigation." 

Vok  grew  deadly  white  and  dropped  her  hand. 

"I  will  contrive  that  strictest  investigation  lay  bare 
the  circumstances  of  Baron  Rabstein's  death,"  he  said  in 
a  voice  trembling  with  anger,  with  his  wrathful  gaze 
fixed  on  his  wife.  "And  God  be  my  witness,  I  will  not 
keep  thee  in  a  murderer's  house.  Thou  mayest  freely  de- 
part and  live  in  any  of  thy  castles.  But  that  thou  canst 
count  me  capable  of  such  villainy  is  a  mortal  insult,  and 
I  will  have  thee  answer  for  it  when  the  truth  shall  be 
revealed." 

He  took  the  arm  of  the  old  Count,  who  had  also  lis- 
tened with  indignation  to  the  accusation  leveled  at  them, 
and  drew  him  from  the  room,  with  the  words : 

"Come,  father.    Here  we  have  nothing  more  to  do." 


195 


VII 

LEFT  to  herself,  Rugena  sank  into  an  armchair,  and  her 
terrible  nervous  tension  was  dissolved  by  a  flood  of  tears. 
Her  husband's  astonishment  and  indignation  had  been 
so  sincere  that  her  belief  in  his  guilt  was  involuntarily 
shaken.  Yet  the  crime  had  certainly  been  committed  by 
somebody. 

When  she  grew  somewhat  calmer  and  her  tears  had 
ceased  she  insisted  in  spite  of  her  weakness  upon  going  to 
Anna. 

Before  she  had  succeeded  in  gaining  the  door  a  servant 
entered  to  announce  the  arrival  of  John  Hus. 

"Ah,  Father  John!  God  Himself  hath  sent  thee  to 
enlighten  me  and  guide  me  in  the  maze  of  doubts  in 
which  I  am  involved,"  said  Rugena,  eagerly,  stretching 
out  both  hands  to  her  confessor,  who  also  seemed  much 
agitated. 

"Broda  hath  been  with  me  and  informed  me  of  what 
hath  happened  here, ' '  he  said,  sitting  down  near  Rugena. 
Passing  his  hand  across  his  face  he  added  sadly:  "That 
a  servant  of  the  altar  should  commit  such  iniquities! 
But  speak,  my  daughter!  I  will  strive  to  calm  thy 
spirit." 

In  a  voice  trembling  with  emotion  Rugena  repeated  all 
that  Brancaccio  had  told  her  about  her  father's  death, 
196 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

not  concealing  the  fact  that  the  indignation  of  her  hus- 
band and  his  father  when  she  had  cast  the  accusation  in 
their  faces  had  seemed  to  her  unfeigned. 

''In  whom  can  I  believe?  In  what?  I  am  astray  in 
this  tissue  of  lies  and  infamies!"  Rugena  concluded, 
bursting  into  tears. 

Hus  listened  to  her  in  agitation,  and  suddenly  he  re- 
membered the  suspicions  expressed  by  Jerome  on  the  oc- 
casion of  Baron  Rabstein's  strange  and  unexpected  death. 

"At  the  present  moment  I  can  but  say  that  it  is  per- 
missible to  doubt  whether  truth  can  spring  from  such  a 
polluted  source  as  Brancaccio,"  he  answered  after  some 
consideration.  ' '  The  Cardinal 's  passion  for  you  explains 
his  intent — that  of  sowing  dissension  'twixt  wife  and 
husband.  The  guilt  of  the  two  Counts  is  hardly  cred- 
ible. For  notwithstanding  their  purely  human  failings 
they  are  worthy  people  and  good  Christians.  I  fear  me 
you  have  acted  inconsiderately  in  accusing  your  husband 
of  such  an  awful  crime!  'Tis  a  grievous  offense,  espe- 
cially if  undeserved.  Be  not  agitated, ' '  he  added,  seeing 
that  the  Countess  had  turned  pale ;  ' '  this  sordid  mystery 
will  of  a  certainty  be  unraveled,  and  God  will  grant 
that  the  true  culprit  be  revealed.  In  the  mean  time, 
pray,  my  daughter !  Believe  me  that  in  the  souls  of  the 
faithful  is  no  place  for  gloom  and  repining.  True  prayer 
issues  from  the  heart  like  a  radiant  beam  of  light  which 
illumines  the  darkness  of  doubt  and  points  out  to  us  the 
path  of  duty.  I  will  go  to  poor  Anna  now,  and  endeavor 
to  soothe  her. ' ' 

197 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Hus  then  made  his  way  into  Anna's  room.  At  sound 
of  the  voice  of  the  preacher  so  beloved  by  all  Anna  gave 
a  wild  cry  and  buried  her  face  in  the  pillow.  Hus  sat 
down  by  the  bedside  and  took  her  hand.  Her  whole  body 
was  shaken  by  her  violent  sobs. 

"From  me,  poor  child,  thou  needest  to  hide  nothing," 
Hus  said  gently.  "In  my  eyes,  as  in  those  of  all  just 
and  honest  men,  thou  wilt  ever  be  the  victim  of  an  abom- 
inable outrage.  But  though  never  so  heavy  thy  fate, 
canst  thou  imagine  for  a  moment  that  God  hath  forgotten 
and  deserted  thee?  He  doth  but  try  thee,  and  thou 
must  believe  that  everything  sent  by  Him  is  sent  for 
good.  Thou  must  submit  thyself  beneath  His  hand,  and 
not  blaspheme  and  seek  refuge  in  self-destruction.  He, 
the  Almighty,  who  doth  ordain  the  fate  of  man,  alone 
doth  know  the  reason  of  all  reasons,  and  hath  already 
judged  thy  torturer,  calling  him  before  His  face." 

For  a  moment  Anna  straightened  her  body. 

"Is  he  dead?" 

"Yes,  I  have  heard  so." 

"Ah,  why  did  he  die?  Who  dared  to  kill  him  before 
I  with  mine  own  hands  did  strangle  him,  gloating  over 
his  agony?" 

With  her  tightly  clenched  hands,  her  bloodshot  eyes, 
and  the  distorted  smile  which  drew  the  lips  back  from 
her  white  teeth,  Anna  indeed  was  terrible  to  look  upon. 

Hus  clasped  her  hand  and  gazed  imperatively  into  her 
feverishly  burning  eyea 

"  '  Vengeance  is  Mine.  I  will  repay/  said  the  Lord, 
198 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

and  His  judgment  is  more  terrible  than  that  of  man. 
Christ  forgave  His  enemies  and  prayed  for  His  torturers. 
Barest  thou  now,  with  a  heart  filled  with  hate  and  thirst- 
ing for  revenge,  fall  before  the  Cross  of  Christ  and  beg 
for  mercy  ? ' '  said  Hus,  sternly. 

Anna  shuddered,  and,  as  though  overwhelmed  by  a 
transport  of  rage,  dropped  back  helplessly  amid  the  pil- 
lows. 

Hus  fell  on  his  knees  beside  the  bed  and  placed  his 
hand  upon  her  burning  forehead.  Raising  his  eyes  to 
the  Crucifix  upon  the  wall  he  began  to  pray  fervently, 
and  it  seemed  as  though  healing  strength  flowed  from  his 
hands. 

Anna's  agitation  little  by  little  subsided,  and  bitter 
tears  trickled  silently  down  her  pale  cheeks. 

At  length  her  tears,  too,  were  exhausted,  and  she  fell 
into  a  deep  sleep. 

Making  sure  that  the  unhappy  girl  was  indeed  asleep 
Hus  rose,  and  after  a  few  moments  spent  in  further  silent 
prayer,  noiselessly  went  out  of  the  room. 

Marga  was  awaiting  him  in  the  room  adjoining. 

"Well?"  she  asked  anxiously. 

' '  She  sleeps,  and  will,  I  hope,  awaken  calmer  and  more 
resigned.  Tell  her  that  I  will  come  to  her  to-morrow, 
after  dinner." 

He  was  leaving  the  house  when  he  was  overtaken  by 
a  little  page,  who  begged  him  to  return  for  a  moment  to 
the  young  Count's  room. 

When  Hus  entered,  Vok  was  pacing  backwards  and 

199 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

forwards,  frowning  and  excited.  Count  Ginek,  whose 
face  was  also  agitated,  sat  by  the  window.  He  had  just 
at  that  moment  called  to  mind  the  fleeting  suspicion 
which  had  awakened  in  him  at  news  of  his  cousin's  un- 
expected death,  knowing  himself  to  be  entirely  innocent 
of  participation  in  any  crime,  if  indeed  one  had  been 
committed. 

"I  desired  to  beg  your  counsel  in  a  matter  of  great 
difficulty,"  said  Vok,  pressing  his  hand. 

"I  can  guess  of  what  you  would  speak.  The  Lady 
Rugena  hath  told  me  of  the  fiendish  device  of  Brancaccio 
which  hath  entirely  confounded  her." 

"But  the  matter  must  be  sifted !  What  did  the  villain 
say?"  interrupted  Count  Ginek. 

Hus  repeated  everything  he  had  heard  from  Rugena. 

"If  you  would  hear  my  counsel,"  he  added,  "question 
Matthias.  I  think  that  he  perhaps  may  give  you  some 
indications. ' ' 

"I  will  straightway  order  him  to  be  summoned.  The 
most  terrible  thing  of  all  is  that  Giuseppa  was  indeed  my 
mistress,  but  the  rest  is — an  insufferable  lie !  And  Bran- 
caccio himself  must  needs  expire  at  the  most  critical 
moment  without  unraveling  this  web  of  his  own  weav- 
ing  " 

But  Vok  was  mistaken.  Brancaccio  was  not  dead. 
Broda's  mighty  hand  would,  of  course,  have  despatched 
him  on  the  spot  had  the  prudent  Italian  not  been  wearing 
a  fine  coat  of  mail  beneath  his  clothes.  Nevertheless,  the 
200 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

blow  he  had  received  was  so  powerful  that  the  dagger, 
although  its  point  was  broken,  had  deeply  embedded 
some  of  the  steel  rings  in  the  Cardinal's  flesh.  The  pain 
had  been  terrible  so  that  Brancaccio  had,  for  a  time,  lost 
consciousness,  and  Broda  had  taken  him  for  dead. 

The  Archbishop  was  afraid  to  keep  him  in  his  palace, 
and  he  was  immediately  conveyed  to  the  Strakhovsky 
Monastery.  There  he  at  length  recovered  consciousness, 
and  the  Abbot,  who  regarded  the  Cardinal 's  amorous  ad- 
venture with  an  indulgent  eye,  surrounded  his  distin- 
guished guest  with  all  possible  attentions.  Bonaventura, 
though,  was  dead,  and  had  been  secretly  buried. 

When  Matthias  appeared  and  the  Count  ordered  him 
to  reveal  unreservedly  everything  he  knew  concerning 
the  death  of  his  master,  the  old  man  was  evidently  afraid, 
and  stood  silent  in  confusion,  until  both  Counts  suc- 
ceeded in  convincing  him  of  the  necessity  for  them  to 
learn  the  truth.  Then  he  told  everything  he  knew,  and 
expressed  the  suspicion  that  Baron  Svietomir  had  been 
poisoned  by  the  supper  served  to  him  by  some  unknown 
waiting-woman  at  the  inn. 

The  former  servant  fell  ill  of  a  sudden,  and  the  inn- 
keeper said  that  the  new  one  had  been  recommended 
to  him  by  some  priest  in  Pilson.  She  served  there  but 
for  a  week,  and  then  left,  and  disappeared,  leaving  no 
trace. 

* '  The  criminal  hand,  it  seems,  is  found.  It  remains  but 
to  discover  by  whom  it  was  directed,"  Vok  remarked. 

201 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  have  a  notion  as  to  that  ..."  began  Matthias,  and 
then  again  fell  silent. 

" Speak!  speak!"  cried  both  Counts  together. 

"During  the  first  month  when  I  lived  with  you  at  the 
castle  I  was  once  returning  thither  from  a  neighboring 
village  when  I  heard  the  sound  of  voices  in  the  bushes 
near  old  Khvala's  mill.  One  voice  sounded  to  me  like 
that  of  Father  Ilarius,  and,  out  of  curiosity,  I  hid  and 
watched.  It  was  indeed  he,  and  with  him  was  a  girl,  in 
whom  I  recognized  the  servant  who  had  taken  the  Baron 
his  supper.  But  I  never  saw  her  later. ' ' 

Vok  glanced  gloomily  at  his  father. 

"If  Ilarius  be  implicated  in  this  crime  it  means  that 
my  mother  hath  protected  him.  But  I  hope,  my  father, 
that  this  will  not  hinder  thee  in  searching  for  the  truth. ' ' 

"In  no  way!  I  myself  desire  to  learn  the  truth,  and 
if  Jan  be  guilty  I  will  force  her  to  confess." 

"  'Tis  difficult  to  force  my  mother,  especially  since  she 
hath  been  ill,  they  tell  me.  Should  we  rather  not  seek  to 
overhear  some  secret  conversation  betwixt  her  and  the 
monk.  Perhaps  in  view  of  all  that  hath  occurred  they 
may  let  drop  words  that  will  give  us  some  indication  as 
to  what  further  steps  to  take." 

"It  is  not  good  to  peep  and  overhear,"  said  Hus. 

' '  True,  Father  John,  it  is  not  good.     But  to  be  unjustly 
accused  of  murder  is  still  worse !    All  means  are  good 
enough  to  prove  my  innocence,"  said  Vok  in  a  tone  of 
displeasure. 
202 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  think  I  can  contrive  that  which  thou  dost  desire," 
said  the  old  Count,  thoughtfully.  ' '  I  remember  that  ad- 
joining thy  mother 's  oratory  is  a  secret  hiding-place  from 
whence  one  can  see  and  hear  everything,  and  even  enter 
if  necessary.  My  grandfather  constructed  it,  and  my 
father  showed  it  me  when  I  married  Jan.  Not  once  have 
I  made  use  of  it,  for  'tis  not  in  my  nature — and  little  did 
I  dream  in  what  sad  manner  it  would  prove  of  service," 
he  added,  sighing  deeply.  ' '  Go,  Matthias,  learn  if  Darius 
be  now  at  home  and  with  the  Countess ;  and  come  forth- 
with to  tell  us." 

A-  quarter  of  an  hour  passed.  Hus  and  the  Counts 
were  deliberating  upon  what  they  had  just  heard  when 
Matthias  returned.  He  wore  a  preoccupied  air,  and  an- 
nounced that  Ilarius  had  just  come  home  for  the  first 
time  since  he  had  carried  off  the  Cardinal,  and  that  he 
was  now  closeted  with  Countess  Jan. 

"No  time  must  be  lost!  Come  with  us,  Father  John. 
I  wish  you  to  be  witness.  And  thou,  Vok,  go  fetch 
Rugena. ' ' 

Rugena  lay,  half  reclining,  in  an  armchair.  Her  head 
felt  heavy,  and,  physically  and  mentally,  she  was  broken. 

The  entrance  of  her  husband  disturbed  her,  and  she 
slowly  raised  herself  in  the  chair. 

"Come  with  me !  Perhaps  we  shall  learn  who  was  thy 
father's  murderer,"  Vok  said  dryly. 

But  she  shook  her  head.    He  seized  her  by  the  arm. 

"At  once  shalt  thou  come!  Since  thou  didst  incline 

203 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

thine  ears  to  a  perfidious  monk  and  cast  accusation  of 
murder  at  me  and  my  father,  thou  shalt  now,  willy  nilly, 
proceed  to  the  end !  Dost  thou  hear  me  ? " 

Rugena  rose  silently,  and,  though  her  head  swam, 
followed  Vok  into  the  old  Count's  presence,  where  the 
sight  of  Hus  somewhat  reassured  her.  They  all  four 
repaired  to  Count  Ginek's  study.  Here  the  Count 
pressed  a  spring  in  the  wall,  and  a  door  hidden  by  a  huge 
iron  chest  immediately  opened,  revealing  a  rather  long, 
narrow  passage.  This  passage  apparently  penetrated  the 
thickness  of  the  wall,  and  led  into  a  small  chamber,  where 
the  only  light  was  that  given  through  several  chinks  in 
the  solid  stone.  Old  Waldstein  carefully  placed  Rugeua 
and  his  son  and  Hus  near  these  chinks,  which  proved  to 
be  nothing  less  than  small  picked  holes,  and  which  were 
concealed  upon  the  other  side  by  the  frame  of  a  large 
picture  hanging  in  the  oratory  itself. 

The  voices  of  the  Countess  and  her  confessor  could 
be  plainly  heard.  Rugena,  trembling  with  excitement, 
placed  her  eye  to  one  of  the  holes,  and  discovered  that  she 
could  see  and  hear  everything. 

The  oratory  was  a  spacious  room.  The  reading-desk 
was  placed  straight  opposite  the  traitorous  picture. 
There  were  two  folding-chairs,  an  armchair,  and  a  finely 
encrusted  table  with  a  drawer  in  it.  At  the  end  of  the 
room  could  be  seen  the  fireplace,  near  which  the  Countess 
sat,  muffled  up  and  shivering.  She  was  ill,  having  caught 
cold  on  the  night  when  she  ran  barefoot  to  the  apartment 
of  her  son. 
204 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Her  yellowish  face  expressed  uneasiness.  Opposite 
her,  with  his  hands  behind  him,  stood  Ilarius.  He  seemed 
thinner  and  shrunken,  and  his  little  roving  eyes  looked 
apprehensive. 

"I  will  answer  all  your  questions  later,  my  daughter. 
But  first  it  is  necessary  to  consider  one  highly  important 
circumstance  which  threatens  us  with  fearful  danger.  I 
knew  of  it  already  yesterday,  but  too  late  to  speak  to  you 
about  it,  and  the  events  of  the  night  have  kept  me  from 
home  till  now.  To  be  brief  I  will  but  say  that  the  Car- 
dinal hath  revealed  to  Rugena  the  secret  of  her  father's 
violent  death." 

"Impossible !"  cried  the  Countess,  turning  pale. 

"I  have  it  from  Bonaventura,  and  from  Maria,  the 
young  Countess's  handmaid.  She  is  favorably  disposed 
to  me  and  doth  acquaint  me  with  all  that  may  be  of  in- 
terest to  me.  The  fact  in  itself  is  indisputable ;  but  the 
Cardinal  hath  named  your  son  and  husband  as  instigators 
and  perpetrators  of  the  crime. ' ' 

"But  why  such  a  lie  ?  Ginek  was  in  Prague  then,  and 
Vok  in  "Waldstein.  Thomasso  must  in  truth  have  lost  his 
head  to  hang  this  ancient  coil  about  our  necks,  when  it 
was  long  forgotten,  and  was  at  the  time  contrived  so 
skilfully  that  no  one  had  the  least  suspicion.  'Tis  on  his 
part  the  worse,  since  I  paid  him  liberally  for  the  remission 
of  the  sin. ' ' 

"  'Tis  true  the  matter  was  well  managed!  But  once 
the  devil  hath  inspired  Monsignor  Thomasso  with  a  carnal 
passion  for  your  daughter-in-law  and  prompted  him  to 

205 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

reveal  the  truth  to  her,  thereby  to  separate  her  from  her 
husband,  this  same  devil  may  well  have  another  surprise 
in  store  for  us!" 

"In  truth  I  know  not  what  there  is  to  please  men  in 
that  pale  face.  Concerning  Rabstein,  I  think  that  your 
fears  are  vain,  Father  Harms.  There  are  no  proofs. 
The  Cardinal  assured  me  that  the  poison  would  leave  no 
traces,  and  nobody  hath  seen.  ..." 

"God  hath  seen !"  thundered  a  terrible  voice. 

The  frame  and  picture  moved  aside  and  opened  the 
hiding-place,  from  whence  Vok  leapt  forth  and  flinging 
himself  upon  Ilarius  dragged  him  backwards  and  placed 
his  dagger  at  his  throat. 

The  Countess  shrieked.  She  was  so  overwhelmed  with 
amazement  at  the  sudden  appearance  of  her  son  that  at 
first  she  did  not  notice  the  opening  in  the  wall.  Rushing 
up  to  Vok  she  tried  to  wrench  the  dagger  from  him. 

"Thou  art  mad!  How  darest  thou  thus  assault  my 
confessor  and  violate  my  solitude  ? ' '  she  cried. 

But  Count  Ginek  dragged  her  away  from  Yok,  and 
thrust  her  to  the  wall. 

"We  have  heard  on  what  thou  hast  deliberated  in  thy 
solitude!" 

"Speak,  thou  scurvy  dog!  Confess  thy  villainy,  or  I 
will  pluck  out  thine  eyes,"  roared  Vok,  and  his  dagger 
flashed  before  the  face  of  the  monk,  who  was  half  dead 
with  terror. 

But  Hus  hastened  to  him  and  drew  away  his  hand. 

"  'Twere  best  to  promise  him  his  life  if  he  avow  all, 
206 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

and  not  to  stain  thy  hands  with  his  contemptible  blood, ' ' 
he  said. 

''You  are  right,  Father  John !  Let  him  go  to  the  devil 
if  he  will  but  confess,"  interrupted  the  old  Count. 
"Free  him,  Vok,  and  let  him  speak." 

Ilarius  fell  on  his  knees,  trembling  with  fear,  his  eyes 
protruding  from  his  head. 

"Will  you  promise  me  not  to  touch  me  if  I  tell  you 
all  ? "  he  whimpered. 

"We  swear,"  answered  both  Counts  together. 

Then  Ilarius,  in  a  shaking  voice,  related  the  details  of 
the  poisoning  of  Baron  Svietomir,  and  what  he  knew  of 
Brancaccio's  plan  to  delude  Rugena  with  hopes  of  a  di- 
vorce in  order  to  entice  her  to  Italy.  But  Bonaventura 
had  decided  otherwise.  Suspecting  Vok  of  responsibility 
for  his  beating,  he  suddenly  conceived  the  notion  of  profit- 
ing by  the  young  Count 's  unexpected  return  to  make  an 
end  of  him.  He  had  no  poison,  nothing  but  a  sleeping- 
draught  prepared  by  him  for  Brancaccio  which  the  ser- 
vant Maria  mixed  with  the  food  served  to  the  Count  for 
his  supper.  "Instead  of  being  divorced  she  will  be 
widowed,"  said  Bonaventura  to  himself.  But  Anna's 
presence  in  Rugena 's  room  frustrated  the  plans  that  had 
been  so  well  devised. 

"Well,"  said  the  Count,  as  Ilarius  finished  his  story 
and  wiped  the  sweat  from  his  face.  "Now  begone,  thou 
rascal!  Set  not  thy  foot  in  my  house  again,  and  draw 
not  nigh  to  my  estates,  or  my  people  shall  hang  thee  like 
a  dog!" 

207 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Ilarius  jumped  up  and  disappeared  through  the  door 
with  an  alacrity  which  at  any  other  time  would  have 
amused  the  spectators. 

The  Countess  Jan,  throughout  the  whole  course  of  her 
spiritual  father 's  long  confession,  had  stood  as  immovable 
as  a  statue.  Her  self-possession,  it  seemed,  had  re- 
turned to  her,  and  she  kept  her  forbidding  gaze,  full  of 
hatred,  upon  Rugena,  who  had  been  sobbing  during  the 
narration  of  the  terrible  story. 

When  Ilarius  had  disappeared  Count  Ginek  went  up  to 
his  wife  and  measured  her  with  a  scornful  glance. 

"I  have  freed  my  house  from  one  monster,  but  what  am 
I  to  do  with  thee,  abandoned  woman?  With  thee  who 
hast  dared  draw  near  me  and  fondle  my  innocent  child, 
thy  soul  guilty  of  murder,  a  murder  doubly  terrible  for 
being  that  of  one  so  close  akin  to  us.  Thou  canst  have 
no  shame,  and  remorse  of  conscience  cannot  touch  thee. 
But  hast  thou  no  fear  of  what  shall  come  after  death? 
Dost  thou  not  tremble  at  the  thought  of  appearing  before 
thy  God,  thy  hands  stained  by  the  blood  of  the  unhappy 
Svietomir?" 

The  Countess  proudly  drew  up  her  head. 

"I  have  naught  wherewith  to  reproach  myself,"  she 
said  with  assurance.  "That  which  I  did  was  done 
through  a  mother's  love,  to  assure  a  brilliant  future  for 
my  son.  I  am  at  peace,  for  my  conscience  accuses  me 
not,  and  I  shall  stand  fearless  before  the  throne  of 
God.  .  .  ." 

"Either  thou  art  mad  or  thou  hast  lost  all  conception 
208 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

of  God  and  of  His  judgment,"  the  Count  interrupted, 
full  of  wrath. 

"Nay,  I  am  not  mad,  and  my  faith  shall  save  me ;  and 
the  pardon  of  Christ 's  substitute  who  hath  power  to  bind 
and  loosen  upon  earth  shall  ope  the  gates  of  Heaven  to 
me.  Look!" 

And  she  ran  to  the  table  and  opened  the  drawer  with  a 
key  which  hung  from  her  waist-belt.  Drawing  forth  a 
sheet  of  folded  parchment  she  held  it  out  to  her  husband. 

"Read,  thou  shameless  one.  This  is  a  full  indulgence 
not  only  for  myself,  but  for  thee  too,  ungrateful  man,  and 
e'en  for  my  posterity.  Dost  thou  understand  now  the 
injustice  of  thy  accusations?" 

Those  present  looked  with  horror  at  the  Countess.  She 
boldly  and  tranquilly  returned  their  gaze. 

"Ah,  thou  hast  an  indulgence!  How  could  I  have 
forgot  that  shield  which  covers  every  villainy  ? ' '  said  the 
Count,  with  a  bitter  smile.  He  unfolded  the  parchment 
and  began  to  read  it,  mockingly  accentuating  every  word. 

Then  suddenly,  consumed  with  fury,  he  flung  the  docu- 
ment into  the  fire,  with  the  words : 

"Thus  do  I  value  this  devilish  compact,  drawn  up 
'twixt  Antichrist  and  Satan  to  ruin  souls  and  prompt 
fools  to  iniquities ! ' ' 

The  Countess  with  a  wild  shriek  clutched  her  head  with 
her  hands.  For  a  second  she  stood  motionless,  her  mouth 
open  with  terror,  staring  at  the  parchment  which  was 
blackening  and  writhing  in  the  flames.  Then  she  rushed 
to  the  fireplace  and  bent  over  the  fire.  Careless  both  of 

209 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

heat  and  danger  she  endeavored  to  rescue  the  precious 
parchment,  which,  she  was  assured,  would  save  her  from 
punishment.  The  wide  sleeves  of  her  dress  took  fire,  and 
Vok  and  Hus  rushed  forward  to  draw  her  back,  and  ex- 
tinguish the  smoldering  material.  But  she  herself,  as 
though  noticing  nothing,  continued  to  gaze  fixedly  at  the 
burning  parchment. 

When  nothing  was  left  of  it  but  ashes  the  Countess 
sank  to  the  floor,  and  with  an  almost  inhuman  cry  be- 
gan writhing  in  terrible  convulsions.  Her  strength  was 
such  that  the  three  men  could  do  nothing  with  her,  and 
were  obliged  to  summon  Broda,  with  whose  help  she  was 
at  length  carried  away.  But  her  piercing  shrieks  re- 
sounded throughout  the  building. 

Rugena  in  terror  sought  the  protection  of  Hus,  who, 
though  himself  painfully  disturbed,  endeavored  to  calm 
her. 

Vok  and  the  old  Count  were  too  overcome  to  speak. 

"Dear  Lord,"  sighed  Hus,  crossing  himself,  "what  a 
fearful  example  of  the  fatal  influence  of  these  in- 
dulgences! Is  it  not  the  duty  of  every  honest  man  to 
struggle  perpetually,  according  to  the  measure  of  his 
strength,  against  such  an  abuse  of  the  simple-hearted  faith 
of  men  ?  The  unhappy  Countess,  blinded  by  her  fanati- 
cism, was  overwhelmed  at  beholding  the  destruction  of 
that  piece  of  parchment  with  its  revolting  lies.  Yet  none 
who  are  thus  deceived  ask  why  Christ  spake  not  of  docu- 
ments so  momentous  if  really  they  have  significance  in 
Heaven?" 
210 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Such  delusions  are  in  truth  most  frightful,"  said 
Count  Ginek  with  a  sigh,  and  then,  turning  to  Rugena,  he 
remarked  bitterly: 

"Thou  seest  that  Vok  and  I  are  guiltless  of  thy  father's 
death.  Yet,  alack,  we  are  powerless  to  remedy  the  conse- 
quences of  the  crime." 

"Forgive  me,  father,  for  my  unjust  offense.  But  I 
was  overwrought,  and  I  believed  what  I  was  told,"  she 
answered  in  a  low  voice. 

"Of  a  truth,  what  proofs  were  needful  when  such  a 
model  of  virtue  as  Brancaccio  denounced  such  reprobates 
as  I  and  my  father!  'Tis  proof  sufficient,"  remarked 
Vok,  scathingly,  and  without  glancing  at  his  wife  went 
from  the  room. 

Rugena  flushed,  but  before  she  could  answer  Broda 
appeared,  profiting  by  an  interval  of  peace,  and  reminded 
them  of  the  presence  of  Tullia,  who  had  rendered  them 
such  signal  services. 

' '  'Tis  true !  I  had  nearly  forgot  her.  "We  are  indeed 
most  deeply  indebted  to  the  unhappy  girl,"  said  the 
Count.  "Speak  with  her,  Rugena;  and  tell  her  that  if 
she  desireth  to  return  to  Italy  I  will  despatch  her  thither 
with  a  trusty  escort  and  assure  her  future.  If  she  would 
rather  stay  with  us  my  house  shall  afford  her  shelter  till 
the  day  of  her  death." 

Tullia  was  sitting  mournful  and  absorbed  in  thought 
when  Rugena  approached.  At  sight  of  the  Countess, 
Tullia  jumped  up,  and  fell  on  her  knees  before  her.  But 
Rugena  embraced  the  girl  tenderly  and  in  the  warmest 

211 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

terms  expressed  the  gratitude  of  the  whole  family,  and 
told  of  the  Count's  proposition. 

"Let  me  stay  with  you,  signora !  No  near  soul  is  left 
to  me  now  in  the  fatherland.  Believe  me,  I  will  serve  you 
faithfully,"  answered  Tullia,  with  tears  in  her  eyes. 

"You  shall  stay  with  us,  sweetheart;  but  as  a  friend, 
not  as  a  servant,"  Rugena  answered  kindly.  "Come,  I 
will  make  arrangements  for  thee,  and  give  thee  woman's 
clothing.  Throw  off  this  garb,  and  forget  thy  terrible 
past.  God  in  His  infinite  goodness  may  yet  send  thee 
happiness  and  peaceful  days." 


212 


VIII 

Two  months  had  passed  since  Tullia  had  come  to  live  at 
the  Waldsteins'.  She  had  grown  completely  accustomed 
to  her  new  life,  and  had  gained  universal  favor  by  her 
amiable  character  and  her  eagerness  to  be  of  use.  She 
felt  inexpressibly  happy,  and  the  way  in  which  she  was 
treated  by  the  Count's  family,  and  by  Anna  and  Hus, 
raised  her  in  her  own  estimation,  and  awakened  in  her 
breast  new  hopes  for  the  future. 

Their  affection  for  her  was  increased  by  the  knowledge 
of  her  sad  story. 

One  evening  Anna,  who  had  not  yet  quite  recovered, 
went  early  to  bed.  Rugena  sat  near  the  bedside,  while 
Tullia  placed  herself  upon  a  cushion  at  its  foot.  Sud- 
denly Anna  asked  what  made  her  hate  Brancaccio  so 
much,  and  how  it  was  that  she  had  become  his  mistress. 

Tullia  shuddered  and  turned  pale  at  the  remembrance 
of  the  past  of  which  she  was  now  reminded.  Anna  and 
Rugena,  touched  by  her  evident  emotion,  declared  that 
they  did  not  wish  her  to  tell  them  anything,  but  Tullia 
herself  had  begun  to  feel  the  need  of  pouring  forth  her 
soul,  and  relating  the  events  of  her  short  but  troubled  life. 

She  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  a  master  goldsmith  in 
Bologna,  and  with  her  sisters  had  been  brought  up  by  an 
old  aunt.  Their  life  had  been  peaceful  and  happy.  She 
was  turned  fifteen  when  misfortune  descended  upon  the 

213 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

family.  One  morning  her  aunt  had  sent  her  with  a  mes- 
sage to  her  father,  at  his  workshop,  where  he  always 
received  important  clients  and  visitors.  On  this  particu- 
lar morning  a  highly  placed  member  of  the  priesthood  was 
with  him,  having  come  to  order  a  costly  chalice  for  the 
Cardinal-Legate  of  Bologna,  Baldassare  Cossa.  This  vis- 
itor, who  appeared  to  be  Brancaccio,  never  removed  his 
eyes  from  Tullia's  beautiful  face,  and  from  that  day  she 
could  not  move  a  step  without  meeting  the  Bishop. 

One  day  an  unknown  woman  accosted  her  in  the  street, 
and  began  to  tell  her  of  the  passionate  love  with  which 
she  had  inspired  a  distinguished  member  of  the  priest- 
hood, embellishing  her  words  with  all  sorts  of  promises 
on  the  condition  of  her  becoming  his  mistress.  Tullia 
refused  with  disgust,  but  this  had  no  effect  upon  the 
woman,  who  persisted  in  urging  her  proposals,  even  en- 
tering their  house,  which  she  watched,  as  soon  as  the  aunt 
was  observed  to  leave  it.  But  at  last,  one  day  the  father 
found  her  there,  and,  giving  her  a  thorough  beating,  flung 
her  out  into  the  street. 

After  that  several  weeks  passed  quietly,  until  at  last 
one  day  the  City  Guard  appeared  at  the  house.  They 
proceeded  to  arrest  the  goldsmith,  upon  the  pretext  that 
he  had  inserted  false  jewels  in  the  work  upon  the  chalice, 
instead  of  the  real  ones  which  had  been  entrusted  to  him 
for  the  purpose. 

Tullia,  highly  agitated,  had  reached  this  point  in  her 
story  when  she  halted  to  take  breath. 

"How  can  I  describe  our  despair?  Our  father  was 
214 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF.    BOHEMIA 

cast  into  prison  in  spite  of  vowing  and  protesting  his 
innocence !  His  affairs  were  thrown  into  disorder,  for  all 
our  property  was  distrained  in  compensation  for  the 
jewels,  supposed  to  have  been  stolen. 

"Once,  when  leaving  the  prison,  where  in  vain  I  had 
besought  an  interview  with  my  father,  I  met  that  shame- 
less woman,  she  with  a  mocking  laugh  declared  that  I 
'had  not  knocked  at  the  right  door,'  meaning  thereby  that 
nothing  but  Brancaccio's  influence  with  the  Cardinal- 
Legate  could  save  my  father. 

"For  long  I  could  not  summon  resolution  to  go  and 
beseech  that  man,  whom,  I  know  not  why,  I  held  to  be  the 
principal  author  of  our  misfortune;  but  at  last  I  was 
compelled  to  do  so.  "We  were  reduced  to  beggary,  and 
my  aunt  and  little  sisters  had  fallen  ill  from  grief  and 
deprivation. 

"Brancaccio  received  me  kindly,  but  to  my  prayers  he 
answered  smiling : 

"  'One  favor  for  another !  Accept  my  love  and  I  will 
save  the  old  thief.' 

"  '  He  is  no  thief !  He  put  the  rightful  brilliants  in  the 
chalice!  God  knows  who  changed  them!'  I  answered 
indignantly. 

"  'If  thou  canst  prove  that,  my  daughter,'  said  he, 
'why  comest  thou  to  petition  me?  But  make  good  haste, 
for  I  warn  thee  that  thy  father  will  be  put  to  torture 
to  extort  confession  from  him,  and  will  afterwards  be 
hanged. ' 

"I  thought  I  should  go  mad,  and  it  seemed  to  me  a 

215 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

trifle  then  to  sacrifice  my  life  to  save  my  family.  I  an- 
swered that  I  would  agree,  yet  demanded  some  token  that 
he  would  not  deceive  me  and  execute  my  father.  He 
laughed  and  praised  my  forethought,  saying  that  I  should 
not  enter  his  service  till  the  prisoner  were  set  at  liberty. 
A  few  days  later  I  learnt  that  my  father  had  escaped 
and  settled  in  another  town  under  a  false  name.  My  aunt 
and  sisters  repaired  to  that  same  town,  while  I  entered 
Brancaccio's  service  as  a  page.  From  the  first  he  de- 
clared to  me  that  he  would  not  lose  my  family  from  sight, 
and  at  his  slightest  displeasure  with  me  would  seize  my 
father  and  punish  him  twofold — for  theft  and  for  flight. 

' '  I  bore  my  cross  submissively,  and  he  sported  with  me 
as  doth  a  cat  with  a  mouse.  He  was  diverted  at  my  en- 
deavors to  hide  my  loathing  from  him.  Then  something 
occurred  which  turned  that  loathing  into  a  hatred  I  can- 
not describe.  .  .  . 

"I  was  about  to  become  a  mother,  which  filled  him 
with  wrath,  yet  he  would  not  risk  my  health,  for,  it 
seemed,  I  pleased  him.  When  my  condition  would  suffer 
me  no  longer  to  fulfil  my  role  he  sent  me  to  a  villa  in  the 
suburbs,  where  I  lived  alone,  with  an  old  woman  to  guard 
me,  and  where  my  son  was  born.  I  loved  the  babe  pas- 
sionately, and  the  servant,  who  had  grown  attached  to 
me,  promised  that  he  should  be  sent  to  my  father  and  my 
aunt  to  be  brought  up.  From  this  old  Nutsi  I  learnt 
much  concerning  the  Cardinal  and  my  predecessors,  who 
had  always  disappeared  in  secret,  that  none  might  learn 
what  had  become  of  them. 
216 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Once  Nutsi  and  I  sat  and  talked  in  front  of  the  fire. 
Suddenly  he  arrived  unexpectedly,  and  was  enraged  at 
sight  of  the  child  upon  my  knee. 

"  'Nutsi,  thou  old  fool!'  he  said,  'thou  wert  mad  to 
keep  this  brat  alive  to  be  a  source  of  trouble  to  us !  Did 
I  not  tell  thee  that  I  did  not  want  him?  .  .  .' 

"And  before  I  could  prevent  it  he  had  seized  the  babe 
from  me  and  flung  him  in  the  fire.  .  .  . 

"Seeing  the  rosy  little  arms  and  legs  struggling  help- 
less in  the  flames  I  fainted,  and  for  many  weeks  hung  be- 
tween death  and  madness.  .  .  . 

"Then  health  returned  to  me,  though  slowly,  and,  to 
my  misfortune — beauty.  .  .  .  There  are  no  words  to  tell 
of  the  hatred  I  felt  towards  Brancaccio,  yet,  knowing  my 
helplessness,  I  hid  my  feelings,  awaiting  that  moment 
when  I  could  take  vengeance.  .  .  .  You  know  the  rest," 
Tullia  concluded,  wiping  away  the  tears  that  were  stream- 
ing down  her  face. 

In  deep  silence  Anna  and  Rugena  listened  to  this  story, 
which  was  only  interrupted  from  time  to  time  by  Tullia 's 
sobs. 

"My  God!"  Rugena  cried,  when  she  had  finished; 
"and  this  monster  doth  dare  with  his  foul  hands  to 
administer  the  holy  sacraments !  Why  doth  no  bolt  from 
Heaven  strike  him  down  before  the  altar?" 

"Ask  rather  how  priests  like  Brancaccio,  and  a  Pope 
like  John  XXIII — thieves  and  scoundrels  both — dare  to 
excommunicate  a  saint  like  Master  John!"  Anna  ex- 
claimed, indignantly. 

217 


IX 

THE  news  that  the  Pope  had  ordered  Hus  to  be  laid  under 
an  interdict  if  he  failed  to  make  submission  within  twenty 
days  delighted  his  enemies,  and  as  this  stern  measure  of 
the  Holy  See  was  not  openly  opposed  by  the  King  their 
arrogance  increased. 

The  Council  of  the  Old  Place  consisted  at  that  time 
mostly  of  Germans ;  and  under  its  auspices  a  meeting  of 
townsmen,  also  Germans,  took  place.  At  this  meeting  it 
was  decided  to  attack  the  Bethlehem  Chapel,  to  drive 
away  the  worshipers,  and  to  seize  the  preacher  himself, 
without  waiting  for  the  publication  of  the  interdict. 

October  2nd,  a  church  festival  in  Prague,  had  arrived. 
A  considerable  number  of  armed  burghers  gathered  to- 
gether in  the  morning,  headed  by  the  traitorous  Bo- 
hemian, Bernard  Khotek,  and  by  Ginz  Leinhardt,  who 
was  really  the  instigator  of  the  contemplated  onslaught. 
The  butcher's  son,  in  his  blind  hatred  of  the  Bohemians, 
thirsted  to  tear  from  their  midst  the  man  so  beloved  by 
them,  the  incarnation  of  their  dreams  of  national  re- 
generation. 

The  Bethlehem  Chapel  was  filled  by  worshipers  who 
were  following  the  words  of  Hus  with  that  rapturous 
faith  which  he  knew  how  to  arouse  in  the  hearts  of  his 
listeners.  Suddenly  several  persons  rushed  into  the 
building,  with  cries : 
218 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"The  Germans  have  surrounded  the  chapel  and  are 
attacking  us  with  spears  and  halberds ! ' ' 

For  a  moment  the  congregation  was  dumb  with  aston- 
ishment, but  then  a  sudden  tumult  arose.  From  without 
came  the  sounds  of  shouts,  oaths,  and  the  clash  of  weapons 
of  the  attackers  who  were  endeavoring  to  force  their  way 
into  the  chapel. 

But  before  a  general  panic  could  prevail  several  knights 
and  noblemen,  among  them  Vok  von  Waldstein,  had  leapt 
on  to  their  benches,  crying  out : 

"Women  and  children  stay  in  your  places.  Men  press 
forward  to  defend  the  chapel,  without  bloodshed  if  it  be 
possible ! ' ' 

All  able-bodied  Bohemians  rushed  to  the  entry.  The 
Germans,  who  had  succeeded  in  gaining  the  porch,  were 
thrown  back,  and  a  wall  of  defenders  of  the  sacred  build- 
ing, silent,  but  firm  and  composed,  arose  before  them. 
Seeing  that  their  efforts  to  take  the  chapel  unawares  had 
failed,  and  disconcerted  by  the  threatening  calm  of  their 
opponents,  the  Germans  fell  back.  In  vain  Ginz,  foam- 
ing at  the  mouth  with  rage,  tried  to  rally  his  followers 
and  urge  them  to  force  a  way  into  the  church.  Khotek 
and  the  majority  of  the  burghers  feared  a  fight  within  it, 
and  noisily  made  their  way  back  to  the  town  hall. 

The  town  council  gathered,  and  after  a  stormy  sitting 
decided  that  at  least  the  chapel  itself  should  be  destroyed, 
according  to  the  injunction  which  had  come  from  Rome. 

On  the  evening  of  the  same  day  Hus  was  at  the  Wald- 
steins'.  Even  his  mild  soul  was  dismayed  by  the  infa- 

219 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

mous  attack  of  the  morning,  and  he  could  not  restrain  his 
indignation. 

"This,"  he  said,  "is  an  example  of  the  effrontery  of 
the  Germans.  They  would  not  dare  destroy  a  neighbor 's 
oven  against  the  King's  will;  yet  they  presume  to  out- 
rage God 's  temple ! ' ' 

"Oh,  we  will  protect  the  chapel!  Let  the  German 
dogs  but  try  another  time  if  they  would  feel  the  weight 
of  our  fists !"  cried  Vok,  boiling  with  rage.  "I  fear  but 
for  you,  Master  John.  These  filthy  priests  will  now  begin 
to  persecute  you  unceasingly. ' ' 

"I  have  already  been  summoned  to  the  Bishop  to  de- 
clare whether  I  had  submitted  to  the  apostolic  order. ' ' 

"And  what  did  you  answer?" 

A  sad  smile  appeared  upon  the  face  of  Hus. 

"From  my  heart  I  answered.  ..." 

But  seeing  the  general  impatience  he  continued : 

"Apostolic  I  call  the  injunctions  of  Christ's  apostles, 
and  I  am  ready  to  obey  the  Pope  in  so  far  as  his  decrees 
are  in  accordance  with  the  Savior's  teachings.  But  when 
they  oppose  them  I  will  not  listen,  though  I  be  confronted 
with  the  stake." 

"Master  John,  you  run  a  fearful  risk!"  said  Rugena 
with  a  sympathetic  pressure  of  his  hand. 

"Everything  will  be  according  to  the  will  of  God,  my 
daughter;  but  I  think  the  hour  hath  not  yet  sounded! 
Christ  hath  not  finished  the  work  with  which  He  charged 
me  and  my  brethren,  and  hath  not  snatched  from  Be- 
hemoth's jaws  all  those  destined  by  the  Lord  for  salva- 
220 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

tion.  He  will  strengthen  the  bearers  of  good  tidings  until 
they  have  at  length  crushed  the  head  of  Behemoth !  With 
all  my  heart  I  strive  for  that,  and  for  that  I  will  humbly 
embrace  my  death.  ..." 

''Such  a  life  doth  make  you  worthy  of  the  crown  of 
sainthood,"  said  Anna;  and  her  eyes,  which  had  looked 
dull  and  passionless  since  her  sorrow,  suddenly  flashed 
with  fanatical  excitement. 

"Refrain,  my  daughter,  from  the  use  of  such  bold 
words;  and  above  all  do  not  audaciously  transfer  the 
gratitude  we  owe  to  God  for  leading  and  sustaining  us 
to  His  unworthy  servant,"  Hus  said  sternly. 

Notwithstanding  the  passionate  desire  of  the  Germans 
to  destroy  the  Bethlehem  Chapel,  they  were  obliged  to 
deny  themselves  the  joy,  for  the  people  kept  watch  night 
and  day  over  their  beloved  place  of  worship. 

In  all  the  churches  of  Prague  it  was  solemnly  an- 
nounced that  services  would  be  suspended  until  Hus  had 
left  the  town,  and  that  all  Christians  were  forbidden,  un- 
der threat  of  the  like  excommunication,  to  speak  to  him, 
offer  him  food  or  drink,  afford  him  shelter,  bury  him, 
and  so  forth. 

A  threatening  cloud  seemed  to  hang  above  the  ancient 
capital  of  Bohemia.  A  sinister  and  melancholy  spirit 
was  abroad,  as  though  the  town  had  just  been  visited  by 
some  most  terrible  catastrophe.  The  bells  no  longer  rang, 
the  churches  were  closed  and  no  services  were  held  in 
them.  The  dying  were  denied  the  sacraments,  the  newly- 

221 


THE  TORCH- BEAKERS  OF  BOHEMIA 

born  their  baptism,  the  newly-wed  God's  blessing,  and  the 
dead  Christian  burial. 

Yet  for  the  most  part  the  population  were  unshaken 
by  this  fearful  chastisement,  and  unwavering  in  their  love 
for  Hus.  The  general  indignation  was  directed  at  the 
priesthood  known  by  the  people  to  be  envious  and  de- 
praved, who  thus  revenged  themselves  upon  an  idolized 
preacher  for  having  boldly  revealed  their  greed,  venality, 
and  cunning. 

During  this  time  of  suffering  Hus  gave  proof  of  that 
mild,  unmurmuring  steadfastness  which  was  one  of  the 
most  striking  features  of  his  character.  He  invoked  none 
but  Christ,  the  true  head  of  the  Church,  concerning  the 
unjust  punishment  with  which  he  had  been  visited;  and 
for  the  rest  continued  to  lead  his  usual  life ;  visiting  the 
sick  and  suffering,  preaching  the  true  gospel,  and  on 
every  occasion  betraying  that  burning  faith,  that  self- 
forgetfulness,  which  conquered  the  hearts  of  all  contem- 
poraries and  created  for  posterity  one  of  the  most  fasci- 
nating figures  in  history. 


222 


MEANWHILE,  we  return  to  the  Waldstein  family. 

The  old  Count  and  his  son  spent  the  greater  part  of 
their  time  with  the  King  at  Jerbrak  Castle,  and  Rugena 
and  Anna  lived  in  retirement,  scarcely  leaving  the  house, 
partly  on  account  of  mourning,  and  partly  because  their 
state  of  mind  inclined  them  to  solitude. 

Anna  had  not  yet  quite  recovered  from  the  terrible 
shock  she  had  sustained.  Apart  from  the  agonizing  head- 
aches she  suffered  at  times  she  felt  physically  better,  but 
her  appearance  and  character  were  strikingly  changed. 
Her  pretty  little  face  had  become  somehow  longer,  had 
lost  its  freshness  and  grown  pale.  Her  eyes,  formerly  so 
bright  and  joyous,  were  dull  and  clouded  by  grief,  and 
would  only  shine  occasionally  under  the  influence  of  some 
wild  excitement.  Her  open-hearted  gaiety,  her  love  of 
fun,  and  her  sociability  had  entirely  disappeared  and  been 
replaced  by  gloomy,  silent  reserve.  Dressed  perpetually 
in  black,  almost  in  the  garb  of  a  nun,  she  passed  whole 
hours  in  prayer.  She  avoided  meeting  people,  and  noth- 
ing could  persuade  her  to  leave  her  room  when  guests 
came  to  the  house. 

Discord  had  reigned  between  Rugena  and  her  husband 
since  that  ill-fated  morning  following  Brancaccio's  at- 
tempt. Vok  had  been  mortally  insulted  by  the  accusa- 

223 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

tion  cast  against  him,  and  could  not  forgive  his  wife  for 
having  suspected  him  of  murder.  The  fall  of  God's 
vengeance  upon  his  mother,  and  the  subsequent  terrible 
death  of  the  Countess  had  made  a  painful  impression 
upon  him.  He  lost  his  taste  for  adventure  and  became 
gloomy,  silent,  &nd  irritable,  sometimes  seeking  a  quarrel 
with  Rugena,  but  generally  obstinately  avoiding  her. 

This  estrangement  from  his  wife,  which  he  maintained 
through  stubbornness  and  wounded  self-esteem,  was  pain- 
ful to  Vok,  who,  in  spite  of  his  impulsive  nature,  was 
deeply  attached  to  his  wife,  and  as  greatly  fascinated  by 
her  beauty  as  before. 

He  was  especially  mortified  because  Rugena,  who  had 
asked  his  father's  pardon,  considered  it  superfluous  to 
address  to  him  one  word  of  penitence  or  regret.  Rugena 
herself  understood  very  well  that  she  was  wrong,  and  that 
she  ought  to  make  amends  for  the  terrible  accusation 
which  had  proved  to  be  so  completely  undeserved;  but 
she  was  too  proud  and  unbending  to  ask  forgiveness. 

Such  was  the  position  of  things  at  the  time  of  Hus's 
departure.  During  his  last  conversation  with  Rugena, 
when  they  had  touched  upon  the  disagreement  between 
her  and  her  husband,  Hus  had  earnestly  endeavored  to 
decipher  her  state  of  mind  and  to  discover  whether  her 
guilty  love  for  Jerome  had  not  something  to  do  with  her 
cruelty  to  Vok. 

"I  have  forever  renounced  all  earthly  love  for  him," 
she  answered.  "But  I  shall  never  cease  to  take  delight 
in  him  as  a  man  of  learning  who  loves  his  country,  and  as 
224 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

a  knight !  Nor  shall  I  cease  to  follow  him  afar  with  my 
sympathy  and  to  pray  for  him.  God  will  not  count  that 
a  sin  against  me ! " 

At  last  she  had  consented  to  ask  Vok's  forgiveness. 

One  evening  Rugena  had  been  sitting  in  her  friend's 
room.  Both  Counts  were  away,  and  there  was  a  strong 
feeling  of  unrest  in  the  city  that  night.  Several  funeral 
processions  passed  the  house,  and  from  the  crowds  ac- 
companying them  arose  the  sounds  of  oaths  mingled  with 
sobs  and  suppressed  weeping.  Groups  of  men-at-arms 
patrolled  the  streets.  In  a  word,  there  was  an  impression 
of  something  sinister  in  the  air. 

With  a  feeling  of  alarm  Rugena  left  her  apartments 
and  went  to  Anna's  room,  which  overlooked  the  court- 
yard, so  that  sounds  from  the  street  could  not  reach  it. 
But  when  the  abbey  bell  struck  one,  she  rose  to  return  to 
her  bedroom.  She  did  not  feel  inclined  to  sleep,  but  she 
was  tired. 

As  she  passed  through  the  long  corridor  to  reach  her 
room  she  saw  her  husband  mounting  the  staircase  which 
led  from  the  lower  story,  accompanied  by  an  armor- 
bearer,  carrying  a  torch.  Vok  was  pale  and  evidently 
very  tired.  His  face  wore  the  sullen  and  gloomy  ex- 
pression which  of  late  had  become  habitual. 

On  seeing  his  wife  the  Count  stopped  short,  in  astonish- 
ment. 

"Not  yet  asleep,  at  such  a  late  hour?  "Why  so?"  he 
asked  coldly,  looking  suspiciously  at  her. 

"I  have  been  chattering  with  Anna,  and  did  not  note 

225 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

how  late  it  grew,"  answered  Rugena.  "Wilt  thou  not 
sup  ? ' '  she  asked  after  a  silence.  ' '  We  were  not  expecting 
thee,  and  the  servants  are  asleep.  But  there  is  food 
awaiting  me  in  my  room  of  which  I  have  no  need. ' ' 

"I  am  in  truth  hungered  by  my  long  ride,  and  I  would 
gladly  eat  if  it  will  not  disturb  thee,"  Vok  said  hesitat- 
ingly. 

"Disturb  me?  In  no  way!  Come,  and  while  Simon 
disarms  thee  I  will  light  the  fire." 

They  entered  a  small  room  adjoining  the  sleeping 
apartment  of  Rugena,  and  the  armor-bearer,  having  taken 
off  Vok's  armor,  retired.  On  the  table  in  the  bedroom 
lay  some  cold  meats,  cakes  and  milk.  Rugena  took  a 
flagon  of  wine  from  the  cupboard  and  lit  the  candelabra. 

Vok  sat  down  at  the  table  and  cut  some  slices  of  venison 
for  his  wife  and  for  himself.  They  ate  in  silence.  There 
was  a  sense  of  constraint  between  them,  and  attempts  at 
conversation  failed. 

Vok,  in  spite  of  his  hunger  and  thirst,  ate  little.  He 
drank  a  cup  of  wine,  then  put  aside  his  knife  and  rose. 

"A  good  night  to  thee,  and  my  thanks !  Thou  hast  sat 
late  with  Anna  and  I  will  detain  thee  no  longer. ' ' 

"I  am  af eared  to  go  to  bed.  The  noise  in  the  street  is 
ceaseless,"  Rugena  answered  in  a  low  voice. 

Vok  said  nothing,  and  made  towards  the  door.  An 
expression  of  inward  struggle  appeared  upon  Rugena 's 
face,  and  just  as  her  ljusband  reached  the  door  she  timidly 
pronounced  his  name. 

"Vok!" 
226 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

He  stopped  immediately  and  turned  towards  her,  fix- 
ing his  gloomy,  abstracted  glance  upon  her  agitated  face. 

"What  wouldst  thou?"  he  asked,  coldly. 

She  ran  to  him  and  took  his  hand. 

"Forgive  me,  Vok,  that  I  offended  thee  unjustly  by  my 
base  suspicions.  But  on  that  fearful  day  my  soul  was 
steeped  in  blood,  and  the  thought  that  I  was  wife  to  a  man 
who  had  helped  to  kill  my  father  was  so  intolerable  that  I 
lost  all  measure. ' ' 

Her  beautiful  face  flushed  and  paled  by  turns,  and  her 
bright  eyes,  full  of  tears,  looked  appealingly  at  her  hus- 
band. Vok's  anger  melted  in  an  instant. 

He  drew  her  to  him,  impulsively,  and  imprinted  a  pas- 
sionate kiss  upon  her  trembling  lips. 

"Ah,  wicked  one!  And  wast  thou  not  ashamed  to 
withhold  thine  acknowledgment  so  long  ?  "Was  it  so  dif- 
ficult to  say  to  thy  husband:  'I  repent  me  for  account- 
ing thee  a  villain '  ?  " 

Putting  his  arm  around  her  he  led  her  to  a  seat  covered 
with  cushions  and  sat  down  beside  her. 

' '  Thou  didst  wish  to  punish  me  for  my  former  antics, ' ' 
he  said  with  a  return  of  his  old  gaiety.  "I  will  confess 
that  I  have  sometimes  been  a  sorry  husband ;  but  for  the 
future  I  swear  to  be  true  to  thee,  and  to  sit  at  home  like 
a  rabbit  in  its  burrow. ' ' 

Rugena  could  not  help  laughing. 

"Thou  hast  well  pictured  thyself:  'a  faithful  husband,' 
and  above  all : '  a  rabbit  in  its  burrow ' ! " 

"In  sooth,  it  is  not  easy.  The  devil  is  strong,  and  doth 

227 


THE     TORCH-BEAREKS    OF    BOHEMIA 

sow  temptations  in  our  path.  Thou  canst  not  understand, 
because  thy  modesty  and  thy  pure  soul  make  thee  un- 
assailable. Wrapped  in  thy  stainless  virtue  thou  dost 
judge  severely,  and  thou  hast  full  right  to  do  so!" 

At  these  last  words  of  her  husband  Rugena's  cheeks 
were  dyed  by  a  flush  of  shame  at  the  remembrance  of  the 
guilty  kisses  she  had  exchanged  with  Jerome,  and  how 
near  she  had  been  to  a  fall,  to  flight  from  her  husband's 
house,  and  the  betrayal  of  her  duty.  Her  soul  was  tor- 
tured by  remorse.  Her  agitation  was  so  evident  that  Vok 
could  not  avoid  remarking  it,  and  asked,  surprised : 

"What  troubles  thee,  my  dear  one?" 

Rugena  gently  released  herself  from  his  embrace.  She 
was  by  now  as  white  as  her  dress. 

"I  am  not  worthy  of  thy  good  opinion,  or  of  thy  love," 
she  said,  firmly.  "I  will  have  no  more  lies  betwixt  us! 
Perhaps  thou  wilt  kill  me  when  I  have  spoken,  but  yet  my 
conscience  will  be  at  rest. ' ' 

Vok  listened,  but  could  not  believe  his  ears.  At 
Rugena's  last  word  a  hoarse  exclamation  broke  from  him 
and  his  eyes  blazed  with  that  terrible  anger  which  was  so 
soon  provoked  in  his  passionate  nature  and  which  made 
all  tremble  who  beheld  it. 

Rugena  thought  her  last  hour  had  come,  but  against 
all  expectations  the  threatened  storm  did  not  break  forth, 
and  Vok  with  a  mighty  effort  of  his  will  controlled  him- 
self. 

Passing  a  trembling  hand  across  his  forehead  he  said, 
thickly : 
228 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Rugena,  thou  art  raving!  Or  have  I  been  blind? 
Couldst  thou,  whose  glance  doth  reflect  the  purity  of 
Heaven,  commit  a  crime  deserving  of  death  ?  Yet,  what- 
ever thou  hast  to  confess,  speak  on ;  for  I  must  know  all ; 
and  I  will  try  to  judge  with  leniency." 

He  fell  back  on  the  seat  and  covered  his  face  with  his 
hands.  For  a  short  time  there  was  silence  in  the  room, 
then,  at  last,  Rugena  began  her  confession  in  low  and 
broken  tones. 

She  spoke  of  the  mortification,  the  offense  to  her  pride 
and  self-esteem  her  husband's  infidelity  had  caused  her,  of 
the  impression  Jerome  had  produced  upon  her  in  her 
childhood,  of  how  he  had  become  her  hero,  and  lastly,  of 
the  meeting  on  her  wedding-day  which  had  transformed 
the  dream  into  reality. 

With  merciless  fidelity  she  pictured  her  admiration  of 
the  orator  of  genius,  an  admiration  which  had  grown  in 
the  measure  of  Vok's  betrayals  and  neglect  of  her.  She 
described  her  fury  at  meeting  her  husband  with  the  girl 
on  the  saddle  before  him,  and  how  Jerome's  unexpected 
visit  had  led  to  a  declaration  of  love  and  plans  for  flight 
which  Hus  had  prevented  by  recalling  them  both  to  a 
sense  of  duty,  and  how  after  that  Jerome  had  renounced 
his  love  for  her  and  left,  without  even  bidding  her  fare- 
well. 

During  his  wife's  story  the  young  Count's  expressive 
face  had  been  portraying  the  feelings  of  amazement,  jeal- 
ousy, wrath,  and  mortification  he  experienced.  At  the 
mention  of  Jerome 's  name  he  leapt  up,  and  bending  f  or- 

229 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS    OF.    BOHEMIA 

ward  listened  with  a  painful  intentness  to  every  word 
spoken  by  his  wife. 

When  Rugena  had  finished  her  story,  and,  overpowered 
by  the  weight  of  her  guilt,  sat  with  mournfully  drooping 
head,  a  playful,  joyous  smile  shone  on  Vok's  face,  and  a 
deep  sigh  of  relief  escaped  his  breast.  With  a  half -merry, 
half -angry  glance  at  his  wife's  bowed  head  he  sat  down 
beside  her,  taking  her  hands,  in  which  her  face  was 
hidden. 

"So  thou  didst  let  that  rascal  kiss  thee,  and  thyself  did 
kiss  him  back  ? "  he  asked. 

"Yes,"  she  answered,  in  a  voice  hardly  audible. 

"And  canst  thou  swear  that  nought  save  kisses  passed 
between  you?" 

Rugena 's  pale  face  was  suffused  by  a  bright  flush. 

' '  Vok !  Of  what  dost  thou  think  ?  I  did  not  leave  thy 
house!  I  am  not  some  street-dancer,  to  give  myself 
straightway  to  any  man,  even  though  I  should  love  him." 

"Why,  then,  I  am  ready  to  forget  it  all!  And  dost 
thou  promise  me  to  dream  no  more  of  flight  ? ' ' 

"I  swear  it !  If  only  thou,  thyself,  drive  me  not  forth 
from  thy  house  as  I  have  deserved,"  Rugena  answered, 
bursting  into  tears. 

"I  were  a  fool  to  drive  away  from  me  so  bewitching  a 
woman,  who  cries  her  sins  aloud  before  one  asks  her  of 
them.  Now,  weep  not,  or  thou  wilt  fall  ill.  I  have  told 
thee  that  I  pardon  thee  thy  kisses.  Enough ! ' ' 

He  gave  her  milk  to  drink  and  tried  to  calm  her,  but 
230 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Rugena  could  not  overcome  her  nerves,  and  her  tears  con- 
tinued to  fall. 

"These  women  have  in  truth  a  flow  of  tears  as  abun- 
dant as  a  fountain,"  Vok  said,  shaking  his  head.  "If 
thou  didst  let  forth  such  a  river  in  sight  of  Jerome  no 
wonder  that  he  melted  like  a  piece  of  soap.  But  hark 
thee,  Rugena;  thou  hadst  gained  nothing  by  betraying 
me.  He  is  a  mad-cap,  and  hath  led  more  women-folk 
astray  than  I,  since  he  hath  combated  in  love 's  arena  for 
more  years  than  I.  'Tis  true  that  he  is  cleverer  than  I, 
and  hath  had  more  success,  since  even  little  girls  have 
loved  him;  but  as  concerns  virtue.  .  .  .  Fu-u-uh!  "We 
will  discuss  that  anon,  and  his  story  with  thee  shows  that 
he  grows  old  and  foolish !  Had  I  been  in  his  place  the 
Lord  Himself  had  not  persuaded  me  to  renounce  such 
happiness!" 

Rugena  gave  a  weak  and  shamefaced  smile.  Then  Vok 
bent  towards  his  wife  and  gazed  searchingly  into  her  eyes. 

' '  Is  all  thy  heart  given  up  to  thine  ideal,  or  dost  thou 
still  retain  one  spark  of  affection  which  might  serve  us  to 
kindle  anew  the  flame  of  our  love  which  is  well-nigh  ex- 
tinct ? "  he  asked  with  a  sad  smile. 

Rugena  threw  her  arms  gratefully  around  her  hus- 
band's neck  and  laid  her  beautiful  head  upon  his  breast. 

"How  can  I  help  loving  thee  when  thou  hast  shown  me 
such  magnanimity  ?  I  promise  thee  I  will  do  everything 
to  merit  thy  love. ' ' 

"Now  God  be  praised!  And  I  on  my  part  will  prom- 

231 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

ise  to  become  so  virtuous  as  never  more  to  carry  women 
with  me  on  my  horse.  That  I  can  swear ! ' ' 

He  embraced  his  wife,  and  lifting  her  like  a  feather  in 
his  arms  kissed  her  passionately. 

"Peace  is  signed  and  concluded!" 

Next  day  Vok  set  out  in  search  of  Jerome.  He  under- 
stood now  why  the  latter  had  become  such  a  rare  visitor. 
At  Jerome's  house  the  Count  was  told  that  he  had  been 
summoned  to  a  hunt  at  one  of  the  castles  of  Lord  Warten- 
berg. 

Seeing  a  sheet  of  unused  parchment  on  the  table,  Vok 
seized  a  pen,  sat  down  and  began  to  draw.  He  depicted 
a  narrow,  winding  path  beset  with  thorns  which  led  to 
Heaven,  at  the  gate  of  which  the  Apostle  Peter  was  sit- 
ting. Along  the  road  galloped  an  ass,  with  tail  uplifted, 
and  the  head  of  Jerome,  while  behind  him  a  splendid 
bundle  of  hay  could  be  seen. 

"What  wouldst  thou  here?"  asked  the  Apostle. 
"Every  day  husbands  with  horns  a-growing,  deserted 
maidens  and  mistresses  betrayed  do  make  complaint 
against  thee." 

"I  am  reformed,  and  on  one  occasion  I  was  even  vir- 
tuous. But  instead  of  wings  ass's  ears  have  for  some  rea- 
son grown  upon  me,"  answered  Jerome  on  the  long  rib- 
bon which  proceeded  from  his  mouth. 

"Why,  I  will  not  trouble  myself  to  unroll  these  heavy 
gates  for  thee,  for  sake  of  the  one  occasion  of  thy  virtue. 
Return  whence  thou  earnest!  None  will  recognize  Je- 
232 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

rome  of  Prague  in  ass's  skin,  and  no  husband  will  be  on 
guard  against  thee." 

Having  finished  the  caricature  Vok  rolled  up  the  parch- 
ment, addressed  it,  and,  mightily  pleased  with  himself,  set 
out  in  quest  of  Hus.  The  latter,  sad  and  alone,  sat  read- 
ing in  his  cell.  The  Count  nearly  stifled  him  in  his  em- 
brace, and  kissed  him  on  both  cheeks. 

"Hast  thou  brought  me  good  news,  Count  Vok,  that 
thou  art  so  cheerful?"  asked  Hus,  with  a  smile. 

"I  have  come,  Father  John,  to  thank  thee  for  the 
service  thou  didst  render  me  in  preventing  my  wife's 
flight  with  Jerome — which  would  have  forced  me,  to  my 
great  regret,  to  cut  the  throat  of  my  friend." 

"What?    Dost  thou  know  all?"  said  Hus,  surprised. 

"Yes.  Rugena  hath  made  full  confession  to  me.  I 
have  forgiven  her,  and  we  have  proclaimed  a  peace. ' ' 

"Praise  be  to  God !  It  was  but  my  duty  to  hinder  two 
insane  creatures  from  committing  a  folly  the  consequences 
of  which  they  would  themselves  have  deplored. ' ' 

At  that  moment  Vok  noticed  upon  the  ground  a  travel- 
ing case  and  two  saddle-bags. 

"What  means  this,  Master  John?  Are  you  preparing 
again  to  leave  us  ? " 

"Alas,  my  friend!  I  can  no  longer  behold  the  suffer- 
ing which  the  interdict  doth  inflict  upon  the  people.  And 
the  King  himself  doth  desire  me  to  depart.  To-morrow 
at  dawn  I  set  forth  from  Prague. ' ' 

"But  where  are  you  going?"  inquired  Vok,  deeply 
grieved. 

233 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"For  the  time  being  to  castle  Kosigrad,  where  the 
Lord  Ousti  hath  kindly  offered  me  shelter.  Then  God 
will  decide  and  point  me  out  my  path,"  Hus  answered 
mildly. 

After  some  further  conversation,  and  having  extracted 
from  Hus  a  promise  to  dine  with  them  and  take  leave, 
Vok  pressed  his  hand  and  left  him. 


234 


XI 

Two  weeks  had  gone  by  since  Hus's  departure.  Prague 
had  resumed  its  accustomed  aspect.  The  churches  were 
open,  and  outwardly  everything  was  tranquil.  But  be- 
neath that  tranquillity  a  storm  was  brewing. 

Rugena  was  sitting,  embroidering,  by  the  window, 
awaiting  her  husband's  return  to  dinner.  She  was  ab- 
sorbed in  her  work,  and  only  exchanged  a  word  from 
time  to  time  with  Anna,  who  was  sitting  opposite  to  her. 
Suddenly  the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs  distracted  her  at- 
tention. Glancing  through  the  window,  she  beheld  a 
gentleman  in  sumptuous  Polish  attire  ride  up  to  the 
house,  followed  by  grooms  who  led  two  superb  chargers, 
and  several  pack-horses  by  their  bridles. 

"Guests  have  arrived,  and  Vok  is  not  home  yet,"  said 
Rugena,  with  some  displeasure. 

Anna  looked  indifferently  out  of  the  window  and  sud- 
denly trembled. 

"  'Tis  Svietomir!"  she  murmured,  growing  pale,  and 
turning  as  if  to  fly  from  the  room.  But  Rugena  detained 
her. 

"Surely  thou  wilt  not  fly  from  Svietomir?" 

"I  will  see  him  later,  but  now  I  have  no  strength  to 
meet  him, ' '  whispered  Anna,  and  tearing  her  dress  away 
from  Rugena 's  hold  she  ran  out  of  the  room. 

235 


THE  TORCH- BEARERS  OF  BOHEMIA 

Rugena  followed  her  with  a  displeased  glance,  and, 
laying  aside  her  work,  went  to  inquire  whether  the  guest 
were  really  her  childhood 's  friend. 

It  appeared  that  it  was  indeed  Svietomir  who  had 
arrived;  but  he  had  so  changed  since  their  last  meeting 
that  Rugena  was  obliged  to  gaze  for  long  at  him  before  she 
could  recognize  him.  The  thin,  pale-faced  youth  had 
become  a  man,  and  was  now  a  handsome  stalwart  figure, 
with  a  calm  assured  glance  and  warrior-like  deportment. 

' '  Thy  gifts  have  brought  me  happiness  and  assured  my 
future, "  he  said,  in  a  low  voice,  greeting  Rugena.  "And 
I  have  come  to  give  the  personal  testimony  of  this. ' ' 

Vok  soon  appeared  and  welcomed  his  former  comrade 
with  outstretched  arms. 

"Why,  Svietomir,  thou  art  grown  magnificent!"  he 
said,  embracing  him.  "Who  would  recognize  in  thee  the 
pitiful  urchin  whom  that  villain  Ilarius  so  misused? 
First  of  all  let  us  sup,  and  then  thou  shalt  relate  thine 
adventures.  Hast  thou  come  back  to  us  for  good?" 

"No,  my  service  is  now  in  Cracow;  but  if  you  would 
shelter  me  for  several  weeks.  ..." 

"Nay,  what  nonsense !  Think  not  that  we  will  let  thee 
go  for  several  months.  They  will  make  shift  without  thee 
well  enough  in  Cracow,"  said  Vok,  good-humoredly, 
drawing  him  towards  the  dining-room. 

At  table  Svietomir  inquired  about  Anna,  and  whether 
she  were  not  married. 

"No.    She  is  somewhat  ailing  to-day,  but  thou  shalt 
see  her  later, ' '  Rugena  said  hurriedly. 
236 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

When  they  were  left  alone  the  Count  and  Countess  told 
him  of  the  terrible  tragedies  which  had  happened  in  their 
house.  Svietomir  was  deeply  affected  by  the  revelation 
of  so  much  villainy. 

"God  have  mercy  on  the  unhappy  soul  of  my  aunt 
Jan !  To  what  fearful  sins  did  her  immeasurable  trust  in 
these  vile  priests  induce  her!"  he  said,  crossing  himself. 
' '  I  understand  now  that  Anna  doth  hide  herself  from  me 
through  shame ;  yet,  poor  friend  of  my  childhood,  she  is 
now  doubly  dear  to  me  in  her  sorrow,"  he  added,  in  a 
voice  trembling  with  emotion. 

The  recital  of  all  the  terrible  events  that  had  taken 
place  occupied  so  much  time  that  Svietomir  was  only  able 
to  touch  lightly  upon  his  life  in  foreign  parts.  Remark- 
ing that  he  was  exhausted,  Vok  hastened  him  off  to  bed. 

On  the  following  morning  Svietomir  distributed  the 
presents  he  had  brought  them:  for  Rugena  some  silken 
material  embroidered  with  silver,  for  Vok  some  skins  of 
sable,  and  for  Count  Ginek  a  fine  dagger  with  its  handle 
set  with  amethysts. 

"I  have  some  brocade  for  Anna,  and  other  things;  but 
in  her  present  state  of  mind  such  trifles  will  not  please 
her, ' '  he  said,  regretfully.  ' '  I  will  rather  present  her  the 
shrine  of  relics  which  I  had  purposed  for  my  aunt,  and 
will  beg  thee  to  accept  the  brocade,  Rugena. ' ' 

' '  Saints  above !  Thou  must  be  rich  to  make  such  pres- 
ents. Hast  thou  chanced  upon  some  treasure?"  asked 
Vok,  laughing. 

"Alack,  no !  But  God  hath  not  forsaken  me,  and  hath 

237 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

given  me  a  position  of  honor  and  independence.  Such 
small  things  are  not  worth  speaking  of.  They  are  part  of 
my  booty  from  the  battle  of  Tannenberg  and  the  taking 
of  Gildenberg." 

"Thou  didst  take  part  at  Tannenberg?"  cried  Vok, 
astonished.  ' '  Thou  happy  man !  How  I  do  envy  thee ! 
There  would  I  fain  have  been  to  give  those  Germans  a 
sound  lesson ! ' ' 

"Yes,  thou  didst  miss  a  splendid  opportunity!  Oh, 
they  learnt  a  lesson  they  will  not  soon  forget.  Some  day 
I  will  tell  thee  all  about  it!" 

The  entrance  of  Count  Ginek,  who,  had  been  away  on 
business,  interrupted  the  conversation  and  altered  its 
course.  He  too  gave  the  guest  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
made  him  promise  to  stay  longer  with  them. 

Svietomir  related  how,  upon  his  arrival  in  Cracow, 
good  fortune  had  led  him  to  King  Vladislav's  secretary, 
who  had  interested  a  Cracow  warrior,  John  Tarnovsky, 
in  him ;  and  how  the  latter  had  taken  him  into  his  service 
and  sent  him  as  a  messenger  to  the  Grand  Duke  Vitov, 
and  later  to  Janusha  Mazovetzky.  The  speed,  punctual- 
ity, and  skill  with  which  he  had  fulfilled  the  mission  en- 
trusted to  him  gained  him  a  place  at  Court,  and  after  the 
battle  of  Grunenwald  (or  Tannenberg)  the  King  had  re- 
warded his  services  by  making  him  a  knight  and  giving 
him  a  fine  estate,  which,  together  with  the  booty  fallen 
to  his  share,  fully  assured  his  future. 

On  the  evening  of  that  same  day  Svietomir  at  last  saw 
Anna,  and  was  struck  by  the  change  in  her. 
238 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Deadly  pale,  and  with  obstinately  lowered  eyes,  she 
muttered  some  words  of  greeting  to  him.  But  when  he 
fervently  kissed  her  hand  and  uttered  some  tender  words 
she  raised  her  eyes,  convulsively  returned  the  pressure  of 
his  hand,  and  burst  into  bitter  tears. 


239 


XII 

TIME  passed  now  peacefully  in  the  Waldstein  family. 
Svietomir  renewed  his  acquaintance  with  former  com- 
rades and  professors,  but  passed  much  of  his  time  at  home 
in  conversation  with  Eugena  or  Vok,  or  his  old  friend 
Broda,  who  besieged  him  with  questions  about  the  war 
with  the  Germans  and  the  Battle  of  Tannenberg,  feasting 
upon  the  details  of  the  rout  of  the  Teuton  Order. 

Only  Anna  held  aloof  from  him.  Although  she  did  not 
directly  avoid  him  the  friendly  relations  she  had  main- 
tained with  Rugena  were  not  renewed  with  him.  He 
more  than  once,  in  conversation  with  the  young  Countess, 
expressed  his  deep  concern  at  the  girl 's  condition. 

"Yes,  'tis  as  though  something  had  snapped  in  her 
since  that  fatal  night.  She  hath  become  quite  different 
and  very  strange.  I  had  dreamed  of  another  fate  for 
Anna  ..."  said  Rugena,  wiping  her  falling  tears. 

"I  remember  thou  didst  desire  that  I  should  marry 
her.  I  will  confess  that  thy  project  pleased  me,  and  I 
would  now  joyfully  carry  her  with  me  to  Cracow." 

"What?    Thou  wouldst  marry  her  even  after  ...  all 
that  hath  occurred  ?     Oh,  how  good  thou  art,  Svietomir ! 
How  noble-hearted !    And  how  I  love  thee  for  it ! "  cried 
Rugena  in  a  burst  of  joy. 
240 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Taking  his  head  between  her  hands,  she  kissed  him 
tenderly  upon  the  forehead. 

' '  The  reward  exceeds  the  service, ' '  he  answered,  laugh- 
ing, and  kissing  her  hand. 

"Dost  thou  love  her?" 

"In  truth  I  know  not  how  to  answer  thee.  Perhaps 
not!  Yet  she  inspires  me  with  sincere  respect  and  fer- 
vent pity,  and  all  that,  united  to  our  old  attachment  to 
one  another,  urges  me  to  bear  her  hence,  that  in  fresh 
surroundings  and  new  circumstances  she  may  forget  her 
grief.  And  her  sacrifice  to  save  thee,  my  benefactress, 
renders  the  good  and  beauteous  Anna  doubly  dear  to  me. 
I  shall  not  find  a  better  wife,  and  I  hope  that  love  will 
soon  make  our  happiness.  But  I  would  ask  thee,  dear 
Rugena,  to  transmit  my  proposal  to  Anna ;  for  she,  poor 
thing,  is  so  timid  and  affrighted  that  I  dare  not  seek  an 
opportunity  to  speak  with  her. ' ' 

"Willingly  will  I  do  so!  I  will  tell  her  of  it  to-day. 
And  to-morrow  with  the  grace  of  God  we  will  celebrate 
your  betrothal,"  Rugena  answered  joyfully. 

All  through  the  day  Anna  was  suffering  from  an  un- 
bearable headache.  She  sat  exhausted  in  an  armchair 
reading  her  prayer-book.  The  broad  folds  of  her  black 
clothing  and  the  darkness  of  her  hair  sharply  defined  the 
waxen  pallor  of  her  face  and  the  hands  which  lay  upon 
her  knee.  It  was  late,  and  Anna  was  surprised  to  see 
Rugena  enter  her  room,  the  more  so  as  the  Countess's  face 
seemed  shining  with  unwonted  happiness. 

"Leave  thy  prayer-book,  Anna !  I  have  news  for  thee 

241 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

which  will  brighten  thy  life  and  change  thy  destiny," 
said  Rugena  gladly,  kissing  her. 

Anna  smiled  painfully  in  answer.  When  Rugena  told 
her  of  Svietomir's  proposal  she  trembled,  and  a  burning 
flush  suffused  her  face.  But  it  was  only  for  a  moment ; 
and  then  her  head  drooped  sadly  on  her  breast. 

Surprised  at  her  silence,  Rugena  took  her  hand. 

"Art  thou  not  glad,  Anna ?  But  wait  until  to-morrow, 
when  our  good  Svietomir  shall  give  thee  the  betrothal 
kiss.  Then  shalt  thou  be  convinced  that  the  past  is  dead 
to  thee  and  that  a  bright  new  future  hath  opened  before 
thee." 

Anna  raised  her  head,  sat  up,  and  passed  her  hand 
across  her  face. 

' '  I  am  very  grateful  to  Svietomir,  and  shall  always  re- 
member his  proposal,  which  doth  me  honor  and  raiseth 
me  in  mine  own  esteem,  but  ...  I  cannot  accept  it. ' ' 

Rugena  was  astonished. 

"Why,  thou  art  mad!"  she  cried  indignantly.  "A 
young,  handsome,  and  wealthy  man  doth  offer  thee  his 
name  and  love,  and  a  brilliant  and  happy  life ;  and  thou 
dost  repulse  him!  'Tis  foolish  and  ungrateful!  I  will 
not  listen  to  such  nonsense ! ' ' 

"The  advantages  of  Svietomir's  proposal  are  apparent 
to  me.  But  I  refuse  it  because  I  could  not  make  him 
happy.  Something  in  my  soul  hath  given  way,  and  I  am 
dead  to  all  the  joys  of  life.  My  dear  and  generous- 
hearted  friend  doth  merit  a  better  wife  than  I,  broken  as 
I  am  in  soul  and  body." 
242 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"But  Svietomjr  doth  love  thee.  His  devotion  will 
make  thee  whole  again.  Thou  dost  not  consider  how  thy 
refusal  will  grieve  and  offend  him!" 

"I  know  that  in  Svietomir's  proposal  lies  as  much  pity 
as  love  for  me.  The  heart  of  woman  doth  judge  infal- 
libly in  these  matters.  Even  though  he  should  be  of- 
fended now,  the  time  will  come  when  he  will  thank  me 
for  leaving  him  his  freedom.  And  I  myself  desire  not 
to  be  bound.  That  which  remains  of  my  heart  after  the 
catastrophe  which  hath  wrecked  my  life  belongs  not  to 
him.  .  .  ." 

Rugena  started. 

"Dost  thou  love  another,  Anna?  But  who,  in  God's 
name?" 

"Who,  if  not  him  who  sustained  me  in  my  suffering, 
who  rescued  me  from  the  abandonment  of  despair,  and 
saved  me  from  self-destruction  ? ' ' 

* '  Thou  lovest  Master  John  ?  .  .  .  Art  thou  not  jesting, 
Anna?"  said  Rugena  in  amazement.  "Remember,  to 
cherish  such  feelings  for  a  servant  of  the  altar  is  a 
sin!" 

Anna  looked  into  her  eyes,  and  a  bright  flush  dyed  her 
cheeks. 

"Thou  hast  misunderstood  me,  Rugena!  That  which 
I  feel  for  Master  John  doth  in  no  way  resemble  sensual 
love.  I  love  him!  Oh,  I  love  him — as  the  earth  loves 
the  fresh  dew  that  doth  slake  her  thirst,  as  the  grass  loves 
the  sun  which  doth  revive  and  warm  it.  I  adore  him 
with  reverence  as  a  healing  spirit !  To  listen  to  his  teach- 

243 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

ing,  to  be  led  by  him  along  the  path  to  Heaven  whose 
messenger  he  is,  to  see  his  mild  glance  turned  approv- 
ingly upon  me — that  is  all  I  value  on  this  earth." 

"I  understand  thee,  Anna.  Yet,  however  deep  this 
feeling,  I  doubt  if  it  can  fill  thy  life.  Thou  art  young, 
and  the  time  will  come  when  dreams  will  fade  and  reality 
assert  its  truth." 

"Nay,  I  am  already  old  in  soul,  and  the  feelings  with 
which  this  saint  inspires  me — for  he  is  a  saint — can  never 
fade !  Why  art  thou  astonished  ?  Canst  thou  deny  that 
he  doth  possess  the  gift  of  healing?  Dost  thou  ask  a 
proof?  Did  not  his  voice  have  a  more  calming  influence 
upon  mad  Countess  Jan  than  any  of  the  doctors?  And 
when  I  had  those  torturing  headaches  that  seemed  to  rend 
my  skull  'twas  enough  for  him  to  lay  his  hand  upon  my 
brow  to  allay  the  suffering,  and  in  that  same  instant  I 
saw — hearest  thou,  Rugena? — I  saw  a  golden  brightness 
shining  about  his  head  as  he  prayed,  and  from  his  fingers 
streamed  rays  of  light  which  imparted  warmth  to  my 
whole  body.  I  was  wrapped  in  wondrous  bliss,  and  my 
soul  was  turned  to  God  till  healing  sleep  did  seal  mine 
eyes." 

Rugena  listened  to  her  in  amazement.  Anna's  enthu- 
siasm filled  her  with  the  conviction  that  Hus  was  indeed  a 
higher  being,  and  the  passionate  faith  which  resounded  in 
the  voice  of  her  friend  infected  her  as  well. 

"I  see  that  thy  decision  is  irrevocable,  and  will  give 
Svietomir  thine  answer,"  she  said,  after  a  moment's  si- 
lence. 
244 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  should  like  best  to  speak  to  him  myself.  Tell  him  I 
beg  that  he  will  come  to  me  to-morrow. ' ' 

Next  day  a  long  conversation  took  place  between  Anna 
and  Svietomir,  and  at  length  they  exchanged  assurances 
of  friendship  and  mutual  trust.  But  Svietomir  was 
grieved  and  agitated  when  he  left  her.  From  that  day 
the  morbid  constraint  with  which  Anna  had  behaved  to- 
wards him  was  replaced  by  a  warm  and  sisterly  affection. 


245 


XIII 

A  YEAR  passed  by,  full  of  alarms  and  unrest.  Great 
events  in  the  life  of  the  Middle  Ages  came  to  pass,  and 
there  were  burning  religious  and  political  questions  which 
demanded  a  speedy  decision. 

The  plan,  discussed  during  the  past  year,  of  summon- 
ing a  General  Council  to  put  an  end  to  the  disorders  in 
the  Church  was  carried  out.  The  Emperor  Sigismund 
took  the  affair  into  his  own  hands,  and  conducted  it  ener- 
getically and  successfully.  At  his  famous  meeting  with 
Pope  John  XXIII  in  Lod  it  was  settled  that  the  Council 
should  sit  in  the  imperial  town  of  Constance,  and  the 
Pope,  restraining  his  wrath,  was  obliged  to  consent  to 
this.  The  Divine  nemesis  thus  laid  its  finger  on  the  in- 
iquitous Baldassare  Cossa,  and  obliged  him  to  appear  at 
the  Council,  to  his  own  extreme  danger.  There  was  no 
escape.  On  one  side  he  was  threatened  by  the  Neapoli- 
tan King  who  hated  him,  and  who  was  now  the  victorious 
master  of  Borne.  On  the  other,  his  sole  protector,  the 
crafty  Sigismund,  was  summoning  him  to  Constance  to 
put  an  end  to  dissension  in  the  Church  which  could  only 
damage  the  Pope  by  throwing  a  light  upon  his  own  life. 
In  vain  did  he  try  to  withdraw  his  head  from  the  noose. 
His  efforts  were  frustrated  by  Sigismund 's  inexorable 
will,  and  on  the  30th  of  October  an  edict  was  proclaimed 
246 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OE    BOHEMIA 

by  which  the  Emperor,  with  the  Pope 's  agreement,  sum- 
moned all  Christian  sovereigns,  all  princes  of  the  Church, 
and  all  those  whose  names  and  learning  were  famed  in 
Christendom  to  appear  in  Constance  on  the  1st  of  No- 
vember, 1414,  in  order  to  consider  the  question  of  Church 
reform,  and  put  an  end  to  heresy. 

This  last  point  referred  directly  to  Bohemia,  for  there 
dwelt  the  dauntless  preacher  whose  inspired  teaching  and 
spotless  purity  was  a  living  reproach  to  the  depraved  and 
vicious  priesthood.  This  man  was  John  Hus,  in  a  certain 
way  the  incarnation  of  the  protest  of  Christianity.  All 
hatred  was  concentrated  upon  him,  and  he  was  to  be 
made  to  pay  for  all  the  crimes  of  all  those  innovators  who 
had  dared  to  demand  chastity  and  disinterestedness  from 
the  servants  of  the  altar.  So  Hus,  condemned  before- 
hand by  his  enemies,  was  summoned  by  the  council  to 
appear  and  answer  the  accusation  of  heresy.  With  his 
habitual  mildness  and  firmness  he  immediately  responded 
to  the  summons,  though  in  no  way  deceiving  himself  as 
to  the  danger  to  which  he  was  exposed  through  his  pro- 
fession of  the  truths  of  the  Gospel. 

On  a  beautiful  September  evening  several  friends  were 
gathered  in  a  small,  modestly  furnished  room  in  one  of 
the  houses  in  the  Old  Town.  The  windows  looked  out 
upon  the  garden,  and  a  long  dark  corridor  separated  the 
room  from  the  rest  of  the  house,  and  preserved  its  occu- 
pant from  any  indiscretion  on  the  part  of  neighbors.  Its 
present  occupant  was  Hus,  who  had  come  to  Prague  to 

247 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

make  ready  for  his  long  journey,  and  take  leave  of  his 
friends  before  his  departure  for  Constance. 

The  Prague  priesthood  pretended  not  to  know  of  his 
presence  in  the  town,  and,  for  the  time  being,  did  not 
persecute  him.  So  now  we  behold  him  in  his  humble 
dwelling,  surrounded  by  friends  who  were  conferring 
with  him  about  his  coming  journey.  Among  these 
friends  were  John  of  Jesenice,  Prokop  of  Pilsen,  Peter  of 
Mladenovic,  Jacob  of  Stribo,  Hus's  substitute  in  the  Beth- 
lehem Chapel,  Magister  Gavlik,  and  Jerome  of  Prague, 
who  had  only  just  returned  from  his  travels  in  Lithu- 
ania. 

''Do  not  afflict  yourselves,  my  friends,  with  thoughts 
of  over-many  dangers.  The  Emperor  will  present  me  a 
letter  of  safe  conduct  which  will  give  me  full  freedom  to 
prove  and  defend  my  integrity, ' '  Hus  was  saying  at  that 
moment. 

"I  doubt  not  Sigismund's  good  intentions  to  protect 
thee ;  but  in  Constance  thou  wilt  fall  in  with  Paleck  and 
other  of  thine  enemies  who  hate  thee,"  said  John  of 
Jesenice. 

"Yes,  I  do  not  deceive  myself  with  dreams,  and  I 
know  that  heavy  sufferings  await  me.  But  I  trust  in 
Christ's  protection,  and  whatever  the  fate  in  store  for  me 
I  shall  bless  God's  will.  I  believe  firmly  in  the  victory 
of  our  cause,  and  am  assured  that  if  I  perish  truth  will 
send  to  Prague  instead  of  one  feeble  and  impotent  'Goose' 
(Hus) — many  eagles  and  falcons.  And  the  quickness  of 
their  eyes  will  surpass  that  of  other  feathered  fowl. 
248 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

Thus  they  may  with  God's  grace  fly  high,  leading  the 
other  birds  to  Christ  Jesus,  Who  will  strengthen  and  sus- 
tain all  His  faithful.  ..." 

At  that  moment  came  a  knock  at  the'door,  and  Vok 
Waldstein  entered.  He  was  evidently  pleased  by  some- 
thing, and  greeted  his  friends  cheerfully. 

"I  have  good  news  for  thee,  Master  John,"  he  said 
brightly.  "The  King  hath  appointed  three  nobles  to 
accompany  thee  to  Prague  whose  names  will  assure  thee 
perfect  safety:  John  of  Chulm,  Venceslas  of  Duba,  and 
Henry  Chulm  of  Lacembok." 

"'Tis  most  gracious  of  the  King  and  indeed  I  know 
not  how  to  thank  his  Majesty,"  said  Hus  with  feeling. 
"Never  should  I  have  conceived  of  such  a  powerful  es- 
cort, or  of  all  the  protection  that  hath  been  afforded  me. ' ' 

"Who  can  know  thee  without  loving  thee?  Since  now 
thou  wilt  be  stoutly  safe-guarded,  I  hope  that  pestiferous 
Council  will  refute  the  accusations  of  Paleck  and  the  rest 
of  the  Bohemian  traitors.  And  besides  that,  thanks  to 
Emirzlik,  Bishop  Nazaretsky  hath  borne  testimony  that 
thou  art  in  no  way  guilty  of  heresy,  and  even  Archbishop 
Conrad  was  obliged,  through  the  Barons'  insistency,  to 
declare  that  he  accounts  thee  a  good  Catholic.  All  that, 
added  to  the  Emperor's  letter,  will  render  thee  well-nigh 
unassailable." 

The  next  few  days  were  occupied  with  preparations 
for  the  journey,  and  as  Hus  was  traveling  to  Constance 
at  his  own  expense  his  friends  vied  with  one  another  to 
free  him  from  all  material  cares.  Innumerable  sums  of 

249 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

money  and  other  gifts  were  showered  upon  him  from  all 
sides.  A  relative  of  Rugena's,  Baron  Bojek  Rabstein, 
gave  him,  among  other  things,  a  splendid  horse ;  Vok  and 
his  father  a  complete  suit  of  black  Flanders  cloth ;  while 
Rugena  herself  pressed  a  considerable  sum  upon  him. 

Finally,  on  the  llth  of  October,  Hus  left  Prague  after 
taking  a  touching  farewell  of  his  friends,  especially  of 
Jerome,  who  accompanied  him  for  several  miles  beyond 
the  town. 

"Beloved  Master,"  he  said,  tenderly  embracing  Hus  at 
parting,  "stand  firm  in  the  coming  struggle,  and  if  any 
danger  whatsoever  should  threaten  thee  I  will  fly  to  thy 
rescue." 

It  really  seemed  as  though  there  were  nothing  to  war- 
rant the  fears  of  Hus's  friends  or  his  own  forebodings. 
The  journey  was  successfully  accomplished,  and  every- 
where upon  his  road  Hus  met  with  respect  and  most 
friendly  attention. 

"When  his  letter  despatched  from  Nuremberg  arrived, 
filled  with  the  most  curious  and  interesting  details,  a 
veritable  holiday  was  held  in  the  Waldsteins'  house. 
With  joyful  astonishment  Hus  described  how,  instead  of 
meeting  him  with  hatred  as  he  had  expected,  the  German 
population  had,  on  the  contrary,  turned  out  in  crowds  to 
meet  him,  and  the  most  distinguished  people,  even  among 
the  priesthood,  had  conversed  with  him  and  extolled  his 
teaching. 

His  journey  was,  in  fact,  a  triumphal  progress  ...  to 
martyrdom.  But  his  letter  showed  something  else  be- 
250 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

sides.  The  mere  fact  that  he  was  so  struck  by  his  unex- 
pected popularity  proved  that  in  his  pure  and  modest 
heart  he  had  never  for  an  instant  attached  any  special 
significance  to  the  greatness  of  his  role. 


251 


PABT  III 


PART  III 


•'.  .  .  And  this  Bohemian  land  for  which  we  fight 
Loves  not  the  master  whom  the  chance  of  war — 
Not  its  own  choice  or  will — has  given  to  it. 
Men  murmur  at  the  oppression  of  their  conscience, 
And  power  hath  only  awed  but  not  appeased  them. 
A  glowing  and  avenging  memory  lives 
Of  cruel  deeds  committed  on  these  plains; 
How  can  the  son  forget  that  here  his  father 
Was  hunted  by  the  blood-hound  to  the  mass? 
A  people  thus  oppress'd  must  still  be  feared, 
Whether  they  suffer  or  avenge  their  wrongs." 

Wattensteim.    Trans.  S.  T.  COLERIDGE, 

TOWARDS  evening  on  the  3rd  of  November,  1414,  along 
the  road  leading  to  Constance,  people  were  crowding  to 
meet  the  traveler  whom  every  one  was  anxious  to  see,  so 
great  was  the  interest  aroused  by  his  personality,  his 
teaching,  and  the  courage  with  which  he  had  revealed 
the  evil-doings  of  the  priesthood. 

Night  was  falling  when  at  length  the  sound  of  many 
horses'  hoofs  was  heard,  and  all  eyes  were  turned  towards 
an  imposing  array  of  horsemen,  who  came  trotting  round 
a  bend  in  the  road.  At  their  head,  between  two  armed 
knights,  rode  a  priest,  dressed  in  black.  Behind  them 

253 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

came  an  armed  convoy,  gprooms,  pages,  and  several  pack- 
horses. 

"Lood,  look!"  exclaimed  a  townsman,  nudging  his 
neighbor  with  his  elbow,  "he  who  rides  between  the 
knights  must  be  John  Hus. ' ' 

"Who  be  the  knights?"  inquired  the  other. 

"Wait,  we'll  ask  old  Sograd.  He's  from  Prague,  and 
he  must  know  them." 

Following  in  the  wake  of  the  horsemen  they  overtook  a 
tall  old  man,  talking  to  some  compatriots  who  had  arrived 
with  the  cortege.  He  willingly  answered  their  questions 
and  told  them  that  the  knights  were  Baron  John  of 
Chulm  and  Lord  Henry  of  Lacembok,  while  those  that 
rode  behind  were  the  Baron's  secretary,  Peter  of  Mlad- 
enovic,  and  John  Kardinalis  of  Rheinstein,  Prior  of  the 
Church  of  Yanovitch,  on  the  Baron's  estates. 

The  crowd  grew  greater  as  the  travelers  made  their 
way  along  the  streets  of  the  town.  At  last  they  stopped 
in  St.  Paul  Street,  in  front  of  the  house  in  which  Hus 
was  to  take  up  his  abode.  His  hostess,  the  Widow  Fida, 
who  was  standing  on  the  doorstep,  joyfully  greeted  the 
esteemed  guest. 

"So,  Master  John,  we  have  reached  the  harbor!  God 
grant  we  bring  you  back  as  happily  to  Prague,  where  you 
will  have  a  welcome  even  more  rousing,"  said  John  of 
Chulm,  with  a  cheerful  smile,  before  he  departed  to  his 
own  quarters. 

Next  day,  refreshed  by  sleep,  and  having  read  mass  in 
one  of  the  rooms  of  the  house,  Hus  set  about  to  arrange 
254 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

his  things.  When  that  was  accomplished,  he  sat  down 
by  the  window  and  looked  at  the  animated  crowds  mov- 
ing backwards  and  forwards  in  the  street.  'At  that  mo- 
ment his  two  protectors  rode  up  to  the  house,  and  Hus, 
not  without  some  apprehensiveness,  went  to  meet  them. 

But  their  cheerful  faces  immediately  set  his  fears  at 
rest,  and  he  began  to  feel  more  hopeful. 

"We  bring  good  news,  dear  Master,"  said  Baron  John, 
pressing  his  hand.  "We  have  come  to  tell  you  the  de- 
tails of  our  audience  with  the  Pope.  We  told  him  of 
your  arrival,  and  begged  him  not  to  withhold  his  protec- 
tion from  you.  His  Holiness  received  us  graciously,  and 
to  our  petition  made  answer:  'If  Hus  had  killed  mine 
own  brother,  yet  would  I  use  all  means  at  my  disposal  to 
preserve  him  from  violence  in  Constance.'  And  when 
he  learned  that  the  Emperor  had  granted  you  a  letter  of 
safe-conduct  and  taken  you  under  his  protection,  he 
promised  to  remove  the  interdict  which  weighs  upon  you. 
That  will  enable  you  to  move  freely  in  the  town  and  visit 
the  churches." 

"Though  I  would  counsel  you,  Master  John,  to  be  care- 
ful for  the  while,  to  avoid  collisions  or  anything  that 
might  serve  as  a  pretext  for  blame.  Most  of  all  not  to 
appear  at  great  religious  solemnities,"  said  Henry  of 
Lacembok. 

"I  will  follow  your  counsel,  noble  Lord,  and  refrain 
from  appearing  among  the  people,"  said  Hus,  submis- 
sively. 

And  indeed  he  shut  himself  up  within  the  house,  never 

255 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

leaving  it,  even  when  Venceslas  of  Duba  brought  him  a 
safe-conduct,  and  the  Pope  and  Cardinals  officially  de- 
clared that  the  interdict  was  for  the  time  suspended. 

He  led  a  secluded  life,  working  at  sermons  and  speeches 
he  hoped  to  be  allowed  at  some  time  to  deliver,  and  de- 
liberating different  theological  questions  with  his  numer- 
ous visitors. 

But  while  he,  absorbed  in  work,  never  departed  from 
his  voluntary  isolation,  his  enemies  were  not  idle,  and 
displayed  extraordinary  activity,  letting  slip  no  oppor- 
tunity of  inciting  the  members  of  the  Council  and  public 
opinion  against  him. 

Particular  venom  was  displayed  by  Venceslas  Tiem, 
the  seller  of  indulgences  in  Prague,  Paleck,  and  Michael 
de  Causis.  The  first  had  never  forgiven  Hus  for  having 
spoilt  his  trade,  the  second  his  banishment  from  Prague, 
while  the  third  hated  him  for  his  revelations  of  the  venal- 
ity of  the  priesthood,  of  which  he,  himself,  had  presented 
a  striking  instance.  They  felt  instinctively  that  the  time 
had  come  for  their  revenge,  and  hurried  indefatigably 
about  the  town,  showing  the  Cardinals  distorted  passages 
from  the  works  of  Hus,  pasting  up  notices  in  which  he 
was  denounced  as  a  heretic,  excommunicated  from  the 
Church,  and  went  as  far  as  to  spread  rumors  in  the  town 
that  he  had  endeavored  to  escape,  hidden  in  a  bundle  of 
straw.  In  consequence  of  these  intrigues,  it  was  decided 
to  arrest  the  dangerous  preacher. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  November,  the  good 
Fida  was  standing  on  her  doorstep  discussing  the  dear- 
256 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

ness  of  foodstuffs  with  a  neighbor  returning  from  the 
market.  Suddenly  her  attention  was  attracted  by  two 
companies  of  the  Town  Guard  which  appeared  at  either 
end  of  the  street  and  silently  took  possession  of  the  neigh- 
boring house. 

"What  doth  this  mean?"  asked  Fida,  in  alarm. 
"Can  they  be  plotting  some  mischief  against  the  good 
Master?" 

"  'Twere  best  to  go  and  warn  him,"  said  the  neighbor. 

' '  I  like  not  to  disturb  him.  The  noble  knight  of  Chulm 
is  with  him  now,"  said  Fida. 

But  at  that  moment  four  horsemen,  followed  by 
grooms,  drew  up  in  front  of  the  house,  and  one  of 
them  demanded  authoritatively  whether  Hus  were  at 
home. 

"Yes,  Master  Burgomaster,"  answered  Fida,  with  a 
deep  curtsey. 

The  riders  alighted  and  went  into  the  house.  The 
women  inquired  of  the  grooms  who  were  the  gentlemen 
who  accompanied  the  burgomaster. 

"The  Bishops  of  Augsberg  and  Trent,  and  the  knight, 
Hans  von  Poden, ' '  they  answered. 

Hus  and  Chulm  were  calmly  conversing  when  the  new- 
comers opened  the  door  and  advanced  into  the  room. 
One  of  the  Bishops  announced  that  they  had  been  sent 
by  the  Pope  to  invite  Master  John  to  appear  before 
them  and  explain  his  teaching,  as  he  had  repeatedly  asked 
to  do. 

Chulm 's  proud  face  flushed  at  these  words.  Being  a 

257 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

man  of  experience  and  foresight,  he  at  once  suspected 
the  true  object  of  this  visit,  and  could  scarcely  restrain 
his  wrath. 

"What  means  this  course  of  action,  my  Masters? 
You  have  forgot  that  Master  John  is  under  special  pro- 
tection of  the  Emperor,  who  hath  strictly  forbidden  the 
trial  to  begin  before  his  arrival.  I  am  authorized  to 
preserve  the  inviolability  of  Master  Hus,  and  in  the  Em- 
peror's name  I  protest  against  these  hasty  measures.  I 
warn  you,  gentlemen,  that  the  honor  of  the  Empire  is  at 
stake!" 

"Calm  yourself,  my  Lord,"  said  the  Bishop  of  Trent, 
in  a  conciliatory  voice.  "You  are  mistaken.  We  have 
come  with  good  intent." 

Here  Hus  interposed,  and  said  that  though  he  had  by 
no  means  come  to  Constance  for  the  Pope  and  Cardinals 
alone  to  judge  his  teachings,  but  in  order  to  defend  him- 
self publicly  before  the  Council ;  yet,  if  it  were  demanded 
of  him,  he  would  not  refuse  to  appear  before  His  Holi- 
ness. 

"'Tis  a  wise  decision,  which  of  course  will  operate  in 
your  favor,  Master  Hus,"  said  the  burgomaster.  "Take 
your  cloak  and  follow  us  without  fear. ' ' 

"I  will  accompany  Master  Hus  and  not  leave  him,  for 
I  feel  it  to  be  my  duty, ' '  said  John  of  Chulm. 

"You  are  free  to  do  as  it  may  please  you,  my  Lord," 
answered  the  Pope 's  messengers. 

When  Hus,  having  changed  his  clothing,  was  prepar- 
ing to  leave  the  house  with  the  knights,  the  Widow  Fida, 
258 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

who  was  awaiting  them  in  the  passage,  approached  and 
asked  his  blessing. 

' '  Something  is  being  plotted  against  you.  The  neigh- 
boring house  is  full  of  soldiers/'  she  whispered,  bursting 
into  tears. 

Hus  turned  pale,  but  controlled  himself.  He  blessed 
her,  went  out,  and  mounted  his  horse ;  and  the  cavalcade 
started  in  the  direction  of  the  papal  residence. 

The  Cardinals  were  gathered  in  a  room  of  the  palace. 
When  Hus  and  Chulm  entered,  the  President  of  the  as- 
sembly called  upon  Hus  to  defend  himself  against  the  ac- 
cusation of  having  preached  grave  errors,  and  sown  the 
seed  of  pernicious  heresy  in  Bohemia. 

"Know,  most  reverend  fathers,  that  I  had  rather  die 
than  spread  errors  of  any  sort  in  opposition  to  the  teach- 
ing of  the  Gospel.  Of  my  own  will  I  came  to  Constance 
to  submit  to  punishment  for  any  false  teaching  of  which 
I  might  be  convicted,"  Hus  answered,  in  an  agitated 
voice. 

"A  wise  response!  In  that  case  we  will  withdraw  to 
confer  upon  which  questions  to  put  to  thee,"  answered 
the  Cardinals,  and  left  the  room. 

They  had  scarcely  done  so  when  an  armed  guard  took 
possession  of  all  the  entrances,  which  aroused  Chulm 's 
displeasure,  and  helped  to  confirm  his  suspicions.  His 
excitement  grew  still  greater  when  the  Cardinals  reap- 
peared and  by  a  succession  of  cunningly  thought-out 
questions  strove  to  catch  Hus  tripping  through  some  ill- 
considered  word,  which  he,  however,  carefully  avoided. 

259 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OP    BOHEMIA 

"These  vipers  seek  to  catch  you  unawares  in  order  the 
more  freely  to  accuse  you  of  heresy,"  said  the  knight, 
scornfully. 

"In  the  truth  of  the  holy  teachings  lies  my  strength, 
wherefore  I  need  fear  nothing, ' '  Hus  answered  firmly. 

Several  hours  passed,  and  it  was  nearly  three  o'clock 
when  Paleck  suddenly  entered.  His  gaunt  face  ex- 
pressed proud  self-satisfaction. 

"At  length  thou  hast  fallen  into  our  hands,  thou 
shameless  heretic!"  he  said  disdainfully  to  his  former 
friend.  "Think  not  to  escape  till  thou  hast  paid  the 
last  farthing." 

Hus  made  no  answer,  and  turned  away  from  him. 
Then  Chulm,  flushed  with  anger,  began  sternly  to  rebuke 
Paleck  for  his  betrayal  of  his  fatherland.  The  dispute 
waxed  keener  when  Michael  de  Causis  appeared,  no  less 
pleased  with  himself  than  Paleck,  and  in  spiteful  words, 
mingled  with  abuse,  began  to  reproach  Hus  for  having 
ruined  the  University  of  Prague,  and  caused  the  with- 
drawal of  the  German  professors  and  students,  for  which 
his  hour  of  punishment  had  come. 

Seeing  that  Hus  preserved  an  unmoved  silence,  and 
that  the  knight  made  no  endeavor  to  conceal  his  scorn 
for  both  of  them,  the  worthy  couple  thought  it  better  to 
withdraw. 

Night  fell.    At  length  the  Pope 's  chamberlain  came  in 
and  announced  to  the  knight  that  he  was  free  to  leave, 
but  that  Master  Hus,  by  order  of  the  Cardinals,  was  to 
remain  in  custody. 
260 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

Though  all  the  events  of  the  day  had  pointed  to  this 
denouement,  the  noble  knight  of  Chulm  was  seized  with  a 
burst  of  uncontrollable  fury. 

' '  'Tis  a  vile  trap ! "  he  shouted.  ' '  I  will  complain  to 
the  Emperor  of  this  outrage  upon  a  man  to  whom  he  has 
afforded  his  protection!  'Tis  shameless  to  act  thus 
against  a  godly  man,  a  saint,  under  cover  of  lies  and 
treachery!  The  Pope  will  not  dare  to  do  so.  I  will 
forthwith  demand  from  him  the  fulfilment  of  his  given 
word — not  to  lay  hands  on  Hus,"  he  cried,  beside  him- 
self, striding  from  the  room. 

Meantime  a  convoy  of  soldiers  led  Hus  to  the  house 
of  the  Canon  of  the  Constance  Cathedral,  where  he  was 
kept  for  a  week  under  strict  surveillance,  after  which  the 
Archbishop  of  Riga,  John  von  Waldenrod,  ordered  him 
to  be  taken  to  the  Dominican  monastery  on  the  banks  of 
the  Rhine. 

It  was  the  6th  of  December,  and  a  heavy  frost ;  and  the 
prisoner  shivered  with  cold  in  his  place  of  detention — a 
damp,  dark,  underground  cell.  The  only  sound  to  break 
the  stillness  was  the  splash  of  the  waves  against  the 
monastery  walls;  and  the  stench  from  a  sewer  close  at 
hand  poisoned  the  air.  The  only  human  to  approach  him 
was  the  monk  who  brought  his  meager  food. 

The  soul  of  Hus,  tender  even  to  weakness  in  the  pres- 
ence of  others'  suffering,  seemed  during  this  period  of 
his  own  anguish,  to  be  made  of  steel.  Meek,  yet  stead- 
fast in  his  faith,  he  submitted  without  a  murmur  to  the 
terrible  conditions  of  his  imprisonment.  Yet,  though 

261 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS     OF    BOHEMIA 

the  spirit  was  strong,  the  flesh  proved  to  be  weak,  and 
Hus  fell  dangerously  ill.  .  .  . 

At  that  time  events  of  extreme  importance  were  taking 
place  in  Prague.  Yakubek,  and  several  other  priests 
following  his  footsteps,  began  openly  to  preach  the  neces- 
sity of  returning  to  the  original  apostolic  institutions, 
and  of  communicating  under  both  forms.  After  preach- 
ing, the  next  thing  was  to  apply  the  practice,  and  Yaku- 
bek was  the  first  to  administer  the  chalice  to  the  faithful. 

Dissensions  occurred  among  the  population :  the  greater 
part  sided  with  the  ' '  Calixtines, "  the  upholders  of  the 
chalice,  but  the  higher  priesthood,  and  especially  the  Ger- 
man burgherhood,  adhered  to  the  Roman  rites. 

Amid  the  disagreements  and  disturbances  accompany- 
ing the  reform  of  the  greatest  of  the  Christian  sacraments, 
the  news  of  Hus's  imprisonment  fell  like  a  thunderbolt. 
Bohemia  was  convulsed  with  wrath.  A  meeting  of  nobles 
was  held  to  protest  against  its  illegality,  and  Count  Ginek 
actually  decided  to  go  personally  to  Constance  to  confer 
upon  the  spot  with  the  Bohemian  barons  as  to  the  neces- 
sary measures  for  the  liberation  of  the  beloved  preacher. 

On  learning  his  intentions,  Rugena  begged  the  Count 
to  take  her  with  him.  Besides  the  deep  and  lively  inter- 
est she  felt  in  the  fate  of  her  friend  and  confessor,  the 
young  Countess  was  eager  to  behold  the  brilliancy  of  the 
Imperial  and  Papal  Courts,  to  which  spiritual  princes, 
worldly  aristocrats,  and  famous  scholars  were  hastening 
from  all  parts  of  the  world.  But  it  was  with  difficulty 
that  she  obtained  the  consent  of  both  the  Counts.  In 
262 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

view  of  the  crowded  state  of  Constance  and  the  probable 
difficulty  of  finding  accommodation,  Count  Ginek  at  last 
promised  to  take  her  on  condition  that  a  relative  of  his 
who  owned  a  house  in  Constance  would  afford  them  hos- 
pitality. 

But  it  seems  that  "ce  que  femme  veut,  Dieu  le  veut." 
The  messenger  despatched  to  Constance  brought  the  news 
that  the  house  in  question  was  at  their  disposal,  and  that 
they  were  eagerly  awaited.  This  removed  the  last  ob- 
stacle and  Rugena  began  to  prepare  for  her  journey. 
Anna,  Tullia,  and  Itka  were  to  accompany  her,  but  Vok, 
to  his  huge  displeasure,  could  not  get  leave  just  then 
from  the  King,  and  was  obliged  to  remain  in  Prague. 
But  it  was  decided  that  he  should  join  them  at  the  earliest 
opportunity. 

Whoever  now  visits  the  fair  city  of  Constance  can  have 
no  conception  of  what  took  place  within  its  walls  during 
the  famous  Council  of  1414. 

It  seemed  as  if  the  whole  of  Christendom  had  gathered 
there.  There  were  thirty  cardinals,  twenty  archbishops, 
one  hundred  and  fifty  bishops,  prelates,  and  doctors,  more 
than  eighteen  hundred  ordinary  priests ;  kurf ursts,  Aus- 
trian and  Bavarian  dukes,  and  an  innumerable  crowd 
of  princes,  counts,  barons,  and  courtiers  of  ever  nation- 
ality. 

Those  of  the  higher  ranks  brought  with  them  lengthy 
suites  (a  contemporary  chronicle  bears  witness  to  30,000 
horses),  and  altogether,  counting  foreign  sightseers,  mer- 
chants and  strolling  players,  the  crowd  amounted  to  at 

263 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

least  100,000  persons.  The  little  town  was  filled  to  over- 
flowing, and  those  who  came  late  were  obliged  to  camp 
in  tents  in  the  surrounding  districts. 

The  town  itself  seemed  transformed  into  one  vast  fair 
given  up  entirely  to  noisy  merry-making,  and  the  weighti- 
ness  of  the  questions  to  be  decided  did  not  hinder  the 
worthy  fathers  of  the  Council  from  patronizing  the  fes- 
tivals, tourneys,  and  banquets.  A  great  deal  was  talked 
about  reform  in  the  Church,  but  the  lusty  cardinals, 
bishops  and  prelates  had  not  the  slightest  notion  of  re- 
forming their  own  loose  style  of  living.  With  the  utmost 
brazenness  they  carried  their  mistresses  with  them,  and 
disported  themselves  more  boldly  with  the  15,000  wanton 
women,  who  had  hastened  to  Constance,  than  did  the 
young  men  of  the  secular  world. 

The  shamelessness  displayed  was  such  that  Hus  wrote 
to  his  friends:  "If  you  could  but  cast  eyes  on  this  as- 
sembly, calling  itself  sacred  and  most  impeccable,  you 
would  behold  great  demoralization.  The  inhabitants  say 
that  thirty  years  will  be  needful  to  purify  the  town  from 
the  abominations  which  have  defiled  it." 


264 


II 

ON  Monday,  the  26th  of  March,  Count  Waldstein,  with 
his  daughter-in-law  and  their  suite,  arrived  in  Constance. 
Although  it  was  the  beginning  of  Passion  Week,  the 
streets  were  crowded,  and  the  air  seemed  full  of  confused 
noise  and  bustle.  Rugena's  eyes,  as  she  rode  on  horse- 
back beside  the  Count,  roved  hither  and  thither  in  eager 
curiosity,  so  new  was  everything  to  her,  so  varied,  so 
teeming  with  life  and  movement.  They  were  obliged  to 
traverse  the  whole  town  to  reach  their  relative's  house, 
and  at  nearly  every  step  their  progress  was  hindered: 
now  in  order  to  pass  through  a  crowd  gathered  round  a 
strolling  pedler,  a  street  singer,  or  some  attraction  of  the 
sort;  then  again  to  draw  up  in  line  and  stand  aside  to 
give  passage  to  the  pompous  suite  of  some  prelate,  mag- 
nificently clad,  mounted  on  a  richly  caparisoned  horse, 
and  gazing  indifferently  at  the  crowds  surrounding  him. 
Groups  of  warriors  of  the  most  various  types  strolled 
hither  and  thither:  swarthy  Italians  with  fiery  eyes; 
huge,  haughty  Englishmen;  slim,  well-made  Frenchmen, 
carrying  the  elegant  fashions  of  the  day  to  the  extreme ; 
thick-set  Slavs,  with  their  childishly  naive  glances — all 
forming  a  kaleidoscope  which  made  the  eyes  dim  and  the 
head  giddy.  Once  they  were  even  obliged  to  make  a 

265 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

detour  in  order  to  avoid  a  street  brawl,  the  unruly  serv- 
ants of  one  of  the  Polish  ambassadors  having  fallen  out 
with  the  suite  of  some  Teuton  knight. 

At  length  they  reached  the  house  of  Bridget  von 
Laufenstein,  the  widow  of  a  German  noble.  This  lady 
received  her  Bohemian  relations  with  enthusiasm  and 
conducted  them  to  a  set  of  large  and  comfortable  apart- 
ments, a  veritable  godsend  in  such  a  state  of  overcrowd- 
edness.  Rugena  at  once  conquered  the  heart  of  the  good 
old  lady,  who  promised  that  she  should  see  everything  of 
interest  in  the  town,  beginning  with  the  Emperor  and 
Empress,  whom,  thanks  to  her  connections  with  the  Court, 
she  was  enabled  to  approach. 

"Had  you  come  a  little  sooner  you  should  have  seen 
the  Pope  as  well ;  but  only  imagine !  he  slipped  away  last 
week,  leaving  the  whole  town  in  a  state  of  consterna- 
tion," said  Bridget,  excitedly.  "When  the  news  of  his 
flight  spread  next  morning,  all  lost  their  heads:  dealers 
shut  up  their  shops  and  pedlers  hid  themselves  for  fear 
pf  being  pillaged.  And,  in  truth,  the  people  broke  into 
many  of  the  apartments  abandoned  by  prelates  who  had 
followed  the  Pope,  and  plundered  them.  The  Burgo- 
master even  summoned  the  citizens  to  arms.  It  was  as 
though  the  judgment  day  had  come!" 

"And  is  it  known  whither  the  Pope  hath  fled?"  in- 
quired the  Count. 

"'Tis  supposed  he  is  in  Schaffhausen.  Dear  Lord! 
Who  could  have  thought  it  would  have  come  to  that,  when 
His  Holiness  entered  the  city  so  triumphantly  with  the 
266 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Cardinals  and  Bishops  all  about  him,  and  with  such  a 
splendid  suite !"  said  the  old  lady,  sorrowfully. 

"Methinks  the  Emperor's  entry  was  no  less  brilliant," 
observed  Rugena. 

Leaving  the  ladies  in  conversation,  the  Count  went  out 
to  visit  John  of  Chulm. 

The  knight  John,  that  courageous  and  indefatigable 
defender  of  Hus,  was  sitting  alone,  composing  a  letter  to 
the  Moravian  nobles,  protesting  against  the  imprisonment 
of  Hus  in  spite  of  his  safe-conduct.  The  Baron  was  over- 
joyed at  sight  of  his  old  friend.  He  immediately  threw 
down  his  pen,  embraced  the  Count,  and  ordered  wine  to 
be  brought  in.  The  conversation  at  once  turned  upon 
the  subjects  which  were  occupying  all  minds :  the  Pope 's 
flight  and  the  imprisonment  of  Hus.  For  them,  as  Bohe- 
mians, ardent  partisans  of  Hus  and  of  Church  reform, 
the  last  of  the  two  questions  was  the  most  important,  and 
John  of  Chulm,  with  natural  indignation,  described  the 
details  of  their  friend 's  imprisonment. 

"Thou  canst  conceive,  Lord  Ginek,  that  I  was  beside 
myself ;  and  I  told  them,  not  mincing  my  words,  what  I 
thought  of  their  premeditated  snare.  Then  I  betook  me 
to  the  Pope,  to  persuade  him  to  keep  his  given  word  to 
protect  Master  Hus.  'What  wouldst  thou  of  me?'  said 
he,  shrugging  his  shoulders.  'They  that  accuse  him  are 
thine  own  compatriots!'  Then,  turning  his  eyes  upon 
the  Cardinals  and  Bishops,  he  added  low,  'Dost  thou  not 
see  that  I  am  in  their  hands  ? '  ' 

"At  any  rate,  'tis  as  though  he  acknowledge  that  base 

267 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

calculation  which  urged  him  to  deliver  up  the  innocent 
victim  as  a  sacrifice  to  the  priesthood.  He  thought  his 
betrayal  of  Hus  would  array  the  priests  upon  his  side," 
said  "Waldstein,  scornfully. 

"But  this  time  his  villainy  hath  brought  him  no  ad- 
vantage; while  for  Master  Hus  the  results  are  lament- 
able. He  hath  fallen  defenseless  into  the  hands  of  his 
worst  enemies,  and  they  act  towards  him  in  a  revolting 
manner!  They  have  cast  him  into  the  prison  of  the 
Dominican  monastery,  a  stinking  den,  close  by  the  monas- 
tery sewer,  which  may  in  truth  be  called  a  grave.  The 
walls  are  sodden  with  damp,  and  Master  John  fell  dan- 
gerously ill.  Even  then  those  barbarians  tormented  him 
with  questions,  hoping  that  while  dying  he  might  in  some 
manner  incriminate  himself ! ' ' 

"Well,  and  Sigismund  ?  What  says  he  concerning  this 
insolent  violation  of  his  safe-conduct  ? ' ' 

"At  first  he  seemed  dismayed,  and  turned  a  courteous 
ear  to  our  protest.  But  since  he  hath  been  here  he  hath, 
it  seems,  changed  his  opinion,  and  doth  make  no  step  to 
free  the  hapless  one  who  confided  in  his  imperial  word. 
.  .  .  God  alone  knoweth  what  will  chance  with  the  Coun- 
cil and  the  schism  now  that  the  Pope  hath  fled." 

"Cossa  must  have  a  powerful  accomplice,  else  had  he 
not  dared  to  act  in  that  manner. ' ' 

"  'Tis  certain!  The  public  finger  points  to  the  Aus- 
trian duke,  whose  protection  he  purchased.  Duke  Fred- 
erick, to  aid  the  Pope 's  escape,  organized  a  brilliant  tour- 
ney, and  while  the  town  was  lost  in  admiration  of  that 
268 


THE     TORCH-BEAREES    OF    BOHEMIA 

spectacle,  Cossa  fled,  disguised,  and  repaired  to  Schaff- 
hausen,  which  belongs  to  the  Duke.  Now  that  he  is  free 
and  master  of  the  situation,  he  will  make  work  for  Sigis- 
mund. '  * 

For  long  the  friends  conversed,  and  although  both  were 
so  keenly  interested  in  political  and  Church  questions, 
they  turned  at  length  to  family  matters,  and  Waldstein 
remarked  among  other  things  that  he  had  brought  his 
daughter-in-law  with  him  to  Constance. 

"By  the  way,  dost  thou  know  that  Svietomir  Kry- 
shanov,  thy  former  protege,  is  here?"  the  Baron  asked. 

' '  Is 't  possible  ?    How  comes  he  here  ? ' ' 

" 'Tis  true!  I  have  myself  spoke  with  him  many 
times.  He  is  in  the  suite  of  Lord  Zavisha,  the  Ambas- 
sador of  King  Vladislav.  If  thou  dost  wish  it  I  will 
send  one  of  my  people  to  inform  him  of  thy  coming. ' ' 

"I  should  be  much  beholden  to  you!  Rugena  will  be 
overjoyed  to  see  her  friend." 

The  next  day,  just  as  the  Countess  had  finished  dress- 
ing to  set  forth  with  Tullia  under  Broda  's  escort,  Svieto- 
mir appeared  among  them  with  a  radiant  face. 

Rugena,  who  imagined  him  to  be  in  Cracow,  was  de- 
lighted to  see  him,  and  at  once  put  off  her  expedition. 

They  talked  of  their  journeys,  and  of  the  Council. 
Rugena  was  enchanted  by  the  animation  of  the  town,  and 
described  the  impression  produced  upon  her  by  the  min- 
gling nationalities  and  by  attires  of  the  foreigners  assem- 
bled in  Constance.  Svietomir  assented,  delighted  with 
her  eagerness. 

269 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"There  is  assuredly  much  here  to  marvel  at,"  he  said; 
"and  if  thou  wilt  permit  me  to  escort  thee  I  will  show 
thee  everything,  beginning  with  the  Imperial  entry  into 
the  Cathedral  for  holy  service." 

"I  will  accept  thy  services  most  gratefully,  the  more 
so  since  the  protection  of  a  knight  in  such  chaos  as  doth 
prevail  is  very  welcome.  For,  though  never  so  careful, 
one  may  fall  into  some  trouble !"  And  she  related  how, 
only  the  day  before,  they  had  been  obliged  to  go  out  of 
their  way  to  avoid  a  street  fight,  when  the  Poles  had 
fallen  foul  of  the  Teutons. 

"I  have  heard  of  that.  A  Pole  and  two  Germans  were 
wounded.  ..." 

"But  what  a  watch  must  be  kept  here  for  them  to  in- 
form you  of  every  such  collision!"  said  Rugena,  laugh- 
ing. 

"Not  such  a  good  one  as  you  think.  But  some  people 
of  the  castellan  of  Kalisch,  Lord  Ganusha  Tulitzky,  took 
part  in  yesterday's  tussle,  and  I  heard  him  tell  Lord 
Zavisha  about  it  in  the  evening.  But  such  things  are 
trifles.  We  have  more  notable  affrays  than  that," 
laughed  Svietomir.  "At  one  of  the  banquets  the  Arch- 
bishops of  Pisa  and  Mainz  had  a  difference  of  opinion. 
The  dispute  waxed  keen,  and  they  began  to  swear  at  one 
another,  and  soon  came  to  fisticuffs.  But  as  the  reverend 
pastors  of  the  Church  were  unarmed,  they  clutched  at 
one  another  by  the  hair  and  rolled  under  the  table,  striv- 
ing to  strangle  one  another.  Many  of  the  priests  who 
were  present  took  fright  and  leapt  through  the  window !" 
270 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"In  truth  an  edifying  spectacle!"  said  Rugena,  laugh- 
ing heartily. 

Then  they  began  talking  of  what  they  would  like  to 
visit,  mentioning  among  other  things  the  sacristy  of  the 
Cathedral,  where  many  treasures  from  the  districts  sur- 
rounding Constance  were  preserved;  and  the  church  of 
the  old  Benedictine  abbots,  with  the  tomb  of  the  Emperor 
Charles  the  Fat.  Anna,  who  was  present  during  the 
conversation,  remarked  with  a  smile  that  she  would  like 
to  take  part  in  the  inspection  of  the  monasteries  and  holy 
places;  but  flatly  refused  to  look  on  at  the  antics  of 
strolling  acrobats,  tight-rope  dancers,  and  people  of  that 
description. 

"Poor  Anna  hath  not  yet  regained  repose  of  spirit. 
Her  heart  is  as  heavy  as  ever,"  said  Svietomir,  sorrow- 
fully, when  Anna  had  left  the  room. 

"Alas!  Her  malady,  it  seems,  cannot  be  cured," 
sighed  Rugena.  "Sometimes  she  grows  so  strange  that 
I  am  afraid." 

"In  what  way  is  she  strange?" 

"Why,  for  example,  she  will  sit  for  hours  together 
looking  fixedly  somewhere  into  the  distance,  seeing  and 
hearing  nothing  of  what  is  going  on  around  her.  Then 
suddenly  she  will  begin  to  say  things  that  none  may  un- 
derstand, like  incantations  of  some  kind.  Once,  before 
we  had  heard  of  Master  John's  imprisonment,  she  said  to 
me  suddenly  with  a  fearful  aspect,  'Hast  thou  received 
no  news  from  'John  Hus?'  'No,'  I  said,  'but  judging 
from  his  last  letter,  we  may  hope  that  all  is  well  with 

271 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

him.'  'But  I  have  seen  him,'  she  said,  'in  a  dark,  damp, 
evil-smelling  cell,  it  seems  to  me — a  prison.'  I  thought 
she  had  dreamt  it,  for  since  her  fanatical  passion  for 
Master  Hus  she  thinks  but  of  him.  But  yesterday  Uncle 
Ginek  told  us  that  Master  John  is  indeed  interned  in  a 
foul  hole,  where  he  lies  ill.  Then  my  heart  was  full  of 
fear  for  Anna!" 

"In  God's  name,  Rugena,  bid  her  hold  her  peace  about 
such  things,  or  she  will  be  taken  for  a  witch ! ' '  Svietomir 
said,  crossing  himself.  After  being  silent  a  moment,  he 
added,  * '  'Tis  well  that  you  arrived  not  sooner,  for  Anna 
would  have  lost  her  reason  altogether  had  she  met  Bran- 
caccio." 

"Almighty  God!  Brancaccio  here?"  exclaimed  the 
Countess,  turning  pale. 

"He  was  here,  in  attendance  upon  the  Pope.  But  he 
left  Constance  three  days  after  Cossa's  flight,  and  prob- 
ably is  now  with  him  in  Schaffhausen." 

"Praise  God  the  monster  is  not  here!"  said  Rugena, 
with  a  sigh  of  relief. 

"Ah,  how  my  hands  itch  every  time  I  see  him!  I 
Would  give  one  of  mine  eyes  for  the  bliss  of  plunging  my 
dagger  into  his  throat!"  exclaimed  Svietomir,  clenching 
his  fists. 

The  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of 
Count  Ginek,  who  was  evidently  perturbed  by  some- 
thing. 

"Imagine  what  I  have  learnt!    Hus  is  not  in  Con- 
stance," he  said,  sinking  into  an  armchair. 
272 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Is  he  free?  Hath  he  escaped?"  cried  Rugena  and 
Svietomir  in  one  voice. 

"Free?  Will  those  blood-suckers  relinquish  the  prey 
they  have  hunted  so  long?"  the  Count  answered,  wrath- 
fully.  "No,  this  is  what  hath  happened.  After  the 
Pope's  flight,  the  fate  of  Hus  lay  in  Sigismund's  hands, 
and  Chulm  and  all  other  friends  of  Hus  hoped  to  profit 
by  this  to  secure  his  deliverance.  Now,  suddenly,  this 
perfidious  Sigismund  hath  placed  Master  Hus  under  the 
authority  of  the  Archbishop  of  Kosnitsky,  a  personal 
enemy  of  Hus,  who  assuredly  will  not  pardon  him  the 
accusation  at  one  time  cast  into  his  face.  And  to-night 
Otto  von  Hochberg  hath  removed  him  to  his  castle  at 
Gottlieben  under  convoy  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  sol- 
diers, which  will  serve  to  show  you  how  they  all  fear  the 
poor  humble  priest,  armed  with  his  virtue  and  God's 
word  alone." 

"My  God!  Now  'tis  impossible  either  to  see  him  or 
render  him  help, ' '  said  Svietomir  in  a  sad  voice. 

"But  didst  thou  visit  Master  Hus  and  see  him  in  his 
prison?"  asked  Rugena. 

"In  truth  I  did.  And  not  I  alone,  but  many  other 
friends  contrived  to  see  him,  thanks  to  the  aid  of  the 
gaolers,  who  are  all  much  attached  to  their  mild  and 
patient  captive.  Especially  one  of  them,  Robert.  He 
and  his  wife  are  both  good  people,  and  have  done  all  for 
him  that  lies  in  their  power." 

"He  must  needs  be  removed  just  as  we  came  hither!" 
said  Rugena,  and  burst  into  tears. 

273 


Ill 

IT  was  April.  One  day,  as  it  was  growing  dusk,  the 
Countess  was  sitting  at  home  by  herself.  The  Count  had 
gone  to  visit  Lord  Ganusk  Tulikovsky,  with  whom  Svieto- 
mir  had  made  him  acquainted ;  Tullia  had  gone  to  a  friend 
of  hers  from  Bologna,  the  wife  of  an  Italian  doctor,  whom 
she  had  known  since  childhood,  and  had  met  acci- 
dentally in  Constance;  and  Anna  was  praying  in  her 
room.  Profiting  by  her  solitude,  Rugena  was  writing 
a  letter  to  Vok,  minutely  describing  her  impressions  of 
all  she  had  seen  and  heard  in  this  ant-hill.  She  was  dis- 
turbed by  the  hurried  entrance  of  Yaronwi,  who  came  to 
say  that  Broda  begged  her  to  go  to  the  Count's  room 
whither  he  had  conducted  a  stranger  who  had  arrived  on 
important  and  urgent  business.  The  Countess,  aston- 
ished, immediately  rose  and  followed  the  page.  Broda 
met  her  at  the  door  of  her  father-in-law's  room,  and  said 
in  a  whisper : 

"Master  Jerome  hath  arrived  hither  disguised,  to  see 
Baron  John ;  but  not  finding  him  at  his  house  hath  come 
on  here.  Detain  him,  my  lady,  until  the  Count  returns, 
and  persuade  him  if  possible  to  quit  the  town :  for  other- 
wise he  is  lost.  I  will  keep  watch  that  none  shall  enter." 

And  without  waiting  for  an  answer  he  went  away,  and 
Eugena  hastily  opened  the  door  of  the  Count's  room. 
274 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

The  daring  guest  was  standing  at  the  open  window, 
looking  with  a  morose,  abstracted  air  at  the  fresh  young 
grass  in  the  garden.  He  had  thrown  his  hat  and  cloak  on 
to  a  chair,  and  the  setting  sun  was  bathing  in  its  tender 
light  his  handsome  manly  face,  and  his  finely-shaped 
white  hands,  which  played  nervously  with  the  handle  of 
the  Italian  dagger  hanging  from  his  belt. 

Jerome  had  scarcely  changed  at  all.  The  same  gay 
self-assurance  lighted  up  his  big,  dark  eyes,  as,  turning  at 
the  sound  of  the  opening  door,  he  saw  Rugena  standing 
confusedly  on  the  threshold. 

Her  heart  was  beating  violently.  This  was  her  first 
meeting  alone  with  him  since  that  memorable  interview 
when  they  had  revealed  their  hearts  to  one  another,  and 
they  both  stood  silent,  overcome  by  the  rush  of  remem- 
brances of  those  intoxicating,  though  oppressive,  mo- 
ments. 

Jerome  was  the  first  to  recover  himself. 

"Forgive  me  for  disturbing  you.  I  had  hoped  to  find 
Count  Waldstein  and  Lord  John  here." 

"You  are  always  a  welcome  guest  to  us,  Master  Jerome, 
as  you  well  know.  Nevertheless  I  must  scold  you  for 
your  lack  of  caution,"  she  said,  with  a  friendly  smile, 
stretching  out  to  him  her  hand,  which  he  kissed. 

"I  have  demanded  a  safe-conduct  from  the  Council, 
but  have  received  no  reply.  The  uncertainty  and  the 
agony  of  inactivity  in  that  refuge  to  which  I  fled  have 
grown  so  intolerable,  that  I  resolved  to  seek  news  in 
Constance." 

275 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"But  you  risk  your  life,"  said  Rugena,  in  frightened 
tones. 

A  bitter  smile  appeared  upon  his  lips. 

"My  life?  In  truth,  it  must  come  to  an  end  some 
day,"  answered  Jerome;  and  there  was  a  note  of  deep 
sorrow  in  his  voice. 

"Yes,  to  an  end  ordained  by  God ;  but  not  hastened  by 
recklessness." 

So  saying,  she  sat  down  by  the  window. 

Jerome  answered  nothing.  His  head  drooped,  and  he 
grew  thoughtful.  His  roving  life  passed  like  a  panorama 
before  his  eyes,  full  of  adventure,  danger,  struggles,  and 
successes;  but  devoid  of  peace  and  happiness.  The 
seductive  image  of  hearth  and  home  at  which  he  might 
rest,  body  and  soul,  and  find  pure  bliss,  was  here  beside 
him,  yet  removed  from  him  by  insurmountable  bar- 
riers. 

Capricious  fate,  as  though  in  mockery,  had  revealed 
these  treasures  to  him,  had  even  permitted  him  to  behold 
them,  and  then  had  snatched  them  away  again,  saying  to 
him: 

"Away!  Resume  thy  lonely  path  with  its  unknown 
aims!" 

At  that  moment  Jerome  felt  that  he  was  tired  of  living, 
and  his  soul  was  filled  with  bitter  grief. 

Suddenly  recollecting  that  his  long  silence  might  offend 
the  Countess,  he  summoned  up  the  knightly  gallantry 
inherent  in  him  to  banish  the  involuntary  sense  of  awk- 
ward constraint.  But  just  at  that  moment  his  eyes  en- 
276 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

countered  those  of  Rugena.  Love  and  commiseration 
were  shining  in  her  timid  glance. 

Jerome  at  once  understood  that  he  was  not  quite  for- 
gotten, and  that,  although  perhaps  unconsciously,  that 
pure  soul  still  preserved  within  its  depths  a  corner  in 
which  he  reigned  and  in  which  there  was  still  a  store  of 
tenderness  for  him.  His  pale  face  was  flushed  with  a 
slight  tinge  of  color,  and  seizing  Rugena 's  hand  he  asked 
in  a  low  voice : 

"You  do  not  wish  me  to  die?" 

Rugena 's  hand  trembled  in  his. 

"No,  I  do  not  wish  it!  I  wish  you  to  live  for  Bohe- 
mia, for  the  sacred  cause,  and  for  .  .  .  your  friends 
who  love  you,"  she  said,  overcoming  her  emotion,  and 
there  was  a  note  of  tenderness  in  her  hasty  whisper. 

Jerome's  eyes  shone  with  a  calm  and  tranquil  gladness. 

"Your  wish  is  law  to  me.  I  will  depart  to-day,  and 
return  to  our  fatherland. ' ' 

"Oh,  I  thank  you,"  she  cried  joyfully. 

She  could  say  no  more.  She  was  trembling  with  agi- 
tation, and  tears  choked  her  voice. 

The  sound  of  hasty  footsteps  was  heard  in  the  next 
room,  the  door  was  flung  noisily  open,  and  the  Count  en- 
tered with  John  of  Chulm.  They  were  both  in  a  great 
state  of  alarm,  and  could  not  resist  reproaching  Jerome 
for  his  foolhardiness  as  they  embraced  him. 

He  repeated  to  them  what  he  had  told  Rugena  about 
his  impatience  in  awaiting  the  letter  of  safe-conduct. 

"And  a  passing  fine  one  it  will  be,"  remarked  Baron 

277 


THE    TORCH-BEAEEES    OF    BOHEMIA 

John,  indignantly.  "Feter  of  Mladenovic  hath  procured 
a  copy  which  this  morning  he  did  bring  me,  and  here  is 
what  it  says  among  other  things."  He  drew  a  sheet  of 
parchment  from  his  pocket  and  read  aloud:  "  'Noth- 
ing is  more  desired  of  our  hearts  than  to  ensnare  the 
foxes  who  ravage  the  orchards  of  the  Lord,  and  we  hereby 
call  upon  thee  to  appear,'  and  so  forth.  I  hope  'tis 
clear  enough  expressed!  But  the  end  is  still  better! 
Hearken  to  this:  'We  give  thee  this  letter  to  safeguard 
thee  so  far  as  it  be  in  our  power,  and  consistent  with 
justice,  and  not  opposed  to  faith.  And  besides,  we  would 
have  thee  know  that  we  shall  try  thee,  whether  thou  dost 
appear  at  the  appointed  time  or  not.'  Thou  canst  imag- 
ine what  a  safe-conduct  of  the  like  sort  doth  augur  for 
thee  if  even  that  which  Master  Hus  received  from  the 
Emperor  could  not  protect  him.  With  thee  they  will 
stand  on  still  less  ceremony." 

"Yes,  Master  Jerome,  prithee  depart ;  and  that  as  soon 
as  possible !  We  shall  not  rest  until  we  know  that  thou 
art  safe  at  home,"  said  the  Count. 

"You  have  convinced  me!  I  will  hasten  hence  at 
once,  and  will  send  you  news  so  soon  as  I  have  crossed 
the  borders  of  Bohemia,"  answered  Jerome,  with  a  glance 
at  Eugena. 

Night  fell.  Two  monks,  their  faces  hidden  in  their 
cowls,  entered  the  dark  alley  by  the  house  in  which  Bran- 
caccio  lived.  Through  a  small  gate  hidden  in  the  wall 
they  entered  the  garden,  and  from  thence  the  house. 
278 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

One  of  them  lit  the  candles  in  the  candelabra  in  the  room 
we  have  described  above,  and  the  other,  casting  upon  the 
table  the  gray  beard  which  had  been  attached  to  his  chin, 
threw  off  his  cassock.  It  was  Brancaccio  with  his  secre- 
tary. 

Ilarius's  fat,  greasy  face  was  shining  with  fiendish 
delight,  and  handing  Brancaccio  his  silken  house-attire 
he  said,  maliciously: 

"We  have  made  no  mistake,  your  Eminence!  The 
disdainful  Jerome  hath  indeed  dared  to  appear  in  these 
parts." 

"What  said  the  girl  we  awaited  at  the  cross-roads?'* 

"Only  that  which  we  knew  before:  that  Jerome  was 
come  hither.  But  she  said  besides  that  the  Countess  had 
told  Anna  that  the  heathen  had  fled  straight  to  Bohemia. 
'Twill  be  indeed  vexatious  if  he  escape  just  vengeance." 

* '  Verily !  If  only  for  having  tossed  thee  through  the 
window,  he  hath  deserved  the  stake,"  laughed  Bran- 
caccio, in  the  scornful  tone  which  he  always  used  towards 
Ilarius.  Though  he  had  succeeded  the  bold  and  resource- 
ful Bonaventura,  Ilarius  in  no  way  replaced  him.  ' '  But 
can  we  not  detain  him  in  some  way,  denounce  him  ?  In 
a  word,  hinder  his  flight  ? "  he  added. 

"The  Devil  only  knoweth  which  road  he  will  take;  and 
then  of  course  he  will  travel  at  full  speed.  Yet  if  I  had 
money  it  might  be  possible  to  send  a  messenger  to  the 
Abbot  of  Hirschof.  He  is  like  to  pass  through  there 
since  'tis  near  the  borders  of  Bohemia,"  sail  Ilarius,  sig- 
nificantly. 

279 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Send  thou  thy  messenger.  I'll  pay  the  cost!  Thou 
hast  deserved  that  gratification  by  thy  faithful  services," 
said  Brancaccio,  with  a  wicked  smile,  as  he  dismissed  his 
secretary. 

Left  alone  the  Cardinal  fell  into  gloomy  thoughtful- 
ness.  At  moments  his  face  was  distorted  by  an  almost 
diabolical  anger,  and  he  had  many  reasons  to  be  angry. 
Baldassare  Cossa's  affairs  were  going  from  bad  to  worse. 
His  protector,  Frederick  of  Austria,  frightened  at  the 
results  of  his  own  act,  had  made  submission  to  the  Em- 
peror; and  the  fugitive  Pope,  abandoned  by  his  adher- 
ents, was  roving  meanwhile  from  town  to  town. 

The  fall  of  his  uncle  and  benefactor  occupied  Bran- 
caccio's  thoughts  almost  as  much  as  his  plan  for  taking 
revenge  upon  the  Waldsteins. 

Ilarius  had  punctually  carried  out  his  instructions,  and 
had  entered  into  relations  with  one  of  the  Waldsteins' 
servants,  who  kept  them  informed  of  all  that  occurred  in 
the  house.  Brancaccio  himself  haunted  the  neighbor- 
hood disguised  as  a  monk,  and  had  seen  Rugena,  Anna, 
and  Tullia. 

Rugena 's  beauty  had  reawakened  the  Cardinal's  brutal 
appetites.  But  now  these  feelings  were  mingled  with 
hatred,  and  he  thirsted,  not  so  much  to  possess  Rugena  as 
to  ruin  her.  Since  she  was  not  destined  for  him  he  re- 
polved  that  she  should  be  destined  for  the  tomb  alone. 
With  this  aim  he  concocted  a  poison,  the  secret  of  which 
had  been  imparted  to  him  by  his  uncle,  which  did  not 
kill  at  once,  but  wasted  the  organism  by  degrees.  It 
280 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OP    BOHEMIA 

only  remained  to  find  the  fitting  occasion  for  administer- 
ing the  poison  to  his  victim. 

He  was  boiling  with  wrath  against  Tullia  also,  whose 
betrayal  of  him  had  worked  his  ruin,  upon  the  very 
threshold  of  success.  The  traitress  was  to  be  repaid  with 
hellish  torments;  but  he  wished  to  seize  her  alive,  in 
order  to  be  able  to  gloat  over  her  agony. 

As  to  Anna,  she  seemed  to  him  to  have  grown  im- 
measurably ugly  and  stupid  in  her  black  garments,  with 
her  pale  face,  and  wild,  uncanny  glance.  In  Brancaccio  's 
perverted  soul  there  was  not  the  slightest  trace  of  pity 
for  her,  or  for  the  young  life  he  had  ruined.  He  was 
only  sorry  that  he  had  wasted  time  upon  her  on  that  fate- 
ful night,  and  had  not  killed  her  on  the  spot. 

Feasting  in  anticipation  upon  the  suffering  and  tears 
he  would  occasion  all  who  had  dared  to  stand  in  his  way, 
he  forgot  his  own  political  failures  and  even  the  sharp 
pain  in  his  back,  which  in  every  abrupt  movement  re- 
minded him  that  he  too  was  mortal. 

Rugena  was  impatiently  awaiting  the  news  of  Jerome's 
safe  arrival  in  Bohemia.  Suddenly  a  rumor  spread 
through  the  town  that  Jerome  had  been  recognized  at 
Hirschof  by  a  local  priest,  denounced  by  him  to  the  au- 
thorities, arrested  on  April  24th  by  officers  of  John  of 
Bavaria,  Prince  of  the  Palatinate,  and  imprisoned  in 
Zulzbach  to  await  the  further  orders  of  the  Council. 

The  Bohemians  and  Moravians  then  in  Constance  were 
deeply  affected  by  these  tidings.  Fortunately  Rugena 
heard  of  them  through  Anna,  who  communicated  the  sad 

281 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

news  to  her  as  they  sat  alone  together,  so  that  her  de- 
voted friend  was  the  only  witness  of  her  tears  and  her 
despair.  The  fearful  danger  which  threatened  Jerome 
awakened  the  love  for  him  which  was  still  slumbering  in 
the  Countess's  heart,  and  which  she  sincerely  imagined 
to  be  friendship ;  while  the  terrible  fate  in  store  for  the 
brilliant  and  fascinating  man,  the  pride  of  all  Bohemia, 
was  in  her  eyes  a  sufficient  reason  for  the  warmest  sym- 
pathy towards  him.  Perhaps  Vok,  noting  his  wife's  pal- 
lor, her  nervousness  and  obvious  state  of  suffering, 
guessed  at  her  real  feelings ;  but  Count  Ginek  at  that  time 
paid  little  attention  to  his  daughter-in-law. 

Like  most  of  his  friends  assembled  in  Constance,  Wald- 
stein  was  completely  absorbed  in  contemplating  the 
struggle  between  the  Pope  and  the  Emperor ;  and  the  im- 
placable severity  with  which  the  Roman  Pontiff  had  been 
condemned  excited  the  whole  of  Christendom. 

Completely  broken  down,  and  ready  to  do  anything  to 
obtain  pardon  for  himself,  Frederick  of  Austria  arrived 
in  Constance ;  and,  falling  at  the  feet  of  Sigismund  at  one 
of  the  banquets,  begged  his  forgiveness  and  ceded  to  him 
all  his  possessions  in  Alsace  and  the  Tyrol.  The  Em- 
peror returned  his  lands  to  him  in  exchange  for  his  oath 
of  vassalage,  and  from  that  moment  not  a  single  pro- 
tector was  left  to  Baldassare  Cossa. 


282 


IT  was  a  beautiful  day  towards  the  end  of  May.  Svieto- 
mir,  who  had  come  upon  a  visit  to  the  Waldsteins,  related 
to  them  how  he  had  been  the  day  before  to  consult  a  for- 
tune-teller, who  had  not  only  told  his  past  with  surpris- 
ing accuracy,  but  had  predicted  a  brilliant  future  for 
him.  He  tried  to  persuade  the  ladies  to  pay  a  visit  to 
this  woman,  under  his  escort. 

Eugena's  sadness  and  apathy  disquieted  Svietomir,  and 
he  proposed  this  expedition  with  the  object  of  diverting 
her.  Two  days  before,  the  Countess  had  been  ill,  com- 
plaining of  giddiness  and  a  pain  in  her  chest,  and  she  had 
vomited,  and  fallen  into  a  prolonged  swoon  after  drink- 
ing a  cup  of  milk.  At  Tullia's  advice  she  sent  for  her 
friend's  husband,  a  young  Italian  doctor  who  was  in  at- 
tendance upon  the  person  of  Cardinal  Ursino. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  his  patient  the  doctor, 
Cosimo  Bonelli,  felt  alarmed.  The  medicine  which  he 
prescribed  caused  the  Countess  to  vomit  again,  after 
which  she  fell  asleep. 

On  the  following  day  Bugena  was  completely  restored 
again,  and  even  assented  with  some  pleasure  to  Svieto- 
mir's  proposal. 

The  longing  to  lift  the  veil  which  hides  the  future  is 
inborn  in  every  man. 

283 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Rugena  was  influenced  by  it,  and  Tullia,  with  her 
Italian  superstition,  was  particularly  so. 

The  peaceful,  happy  circumstances  of  her  new  life  had 
reawakened  in  her  the  gaiety  of  youth  and  joy  of  life 
which  had  been  for  so  long  apparently  extinguished; 
and  Svietomir's  proposition  inspired  her  with  the  wish 
jto  learn  what  Fate  had  still  in  store.  Rugena  hoped  to 
ascertain  how  the  trials  of  Hus  and  Jerome  would  end, 
and,  in  regard  to  herself,  whether  God  would  send  her  a 
son  as  Vok  so  passionately  desired. 

It  was  finally  decided  to  pay  the  fortune-teller  a  visit, 
and  all  began  to  make  ready  for  the  expedition  excepting 
Anna,  who  declared  that  for  her  there  was  no  future,  and 
therefore  nothing  to  foretell. 

The  Count,  when  consulted  about  it,  laughingly  ap- 
proved the  intention  of  the  young  people,  but  insisted 
that  Broda  should  accompany  them  as  well,  since  in 
view  of  the  frequent  disorders  it  would  be  better  for 
the  ladies  to  have  two  swords  instead  of  one  to  protect 
them. 

Although  the  witch  lived  in  a  distant  quarter  of  the 
town,  it  was  such  beautiful  weather  that  they  set  forth 
on  foot.  None  of  them  paid  any  attention  to  the  fact 
that  as  soon  as  they  left  the  house  two  monks  began  per- 
sistently to  follow  them,  though  at  a  respectful  distance. 
Only  Broda,  who  walked  with  Tullia  behind  Svietomir 
and  the  Countess,  noticed  them,  and  began  to  observe 
their  movements;  but  finally  he  lost  sight  of  the  monks 
in  the  crowd,  and  soon  afterwards  forgot  about  them, 
284 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

which  was  not  surprising  as  monks  of  all  sorts  and  condi- 
tions were  swarming  on  every  hand. 

They  were  reaching  the  end  of  their  walk  when  sud- 
denly, from  not  far  off,  came  the  sound  of  a  huge  crowd 
approaching,  which  subsequently  invaded  the  street,  fill- 
ing its  whole  breadth.  They  were  surrounding  some- 
thing on  all  sides,  but  it  was  difficult  to  see  what  this  was. 
The  pikes  and  halberds  of  the  Town  Guards  were  seen 
glistening  above  the  heads  of  the  people. 

Svietomir  began  with  his  eyes  to  seek  some  place  of 
refuge  in  which  they  might  avoid  the  crush,  and  wait  un- 
til the  crowd  had  passed.  But  at  that  moment  people 
began  to  run  out  of  neighboring  houses,  attracted  by  the 
noise ;  and  in  an  instant  he  and  Rugena  were  hemmed  in 
by  an  excited  and  curious  mass.  At  first  they  were 
pressed  against  the  wall,  but  then  suddenly,  by  some  ac- 
cident, they  were  pushed  forward  and  forward  into  the 
first  row  of  spectators. 

It  could  now  be -clearly  seen  that  soldiers  were  sur- 
rounding a  wagon  in  which  was  sitting  a  man,  bound 
and  loaded  with  chains.  Svietomir  turned  pale  on  see- 
ing that  the  captive  was  Jerome.  He  seemed  calm,  and 
his  pale,  proud  face  wore  a  look  of  mournful  abstraction. 
Rugena,  too,  had  recognized  him,  and  for  the  first  mo- 
ment stood  petrified,  gazing  at  him  with  wide-open  eyes. 
Then  with  a  wild  shriek  she  fell  senseless  to  the  ground. 

Notwithstanding  the  noise,  the  piercing  cry  reached 
the  ears  of  Jerome,  who  glanced  towards  them,  and  also 
recognized  Rugena, 

285 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

He  started  and  drew  himself  together,  so  that  the 
rattling  of  his  chains  was  heard.  He  tried  to  spring  to 
the  earth,  but  all  his  efforts  to  free  himself  were  in  vain. 
He  sank  helplessly  back  on  to  his  seat,  with  an  expression 
of  wrath  and  despair  on  his  face. 

With  great  difficulty,  and  the  help  of  the  sympathizing 
spectators,  Svietomir  managed  to  clear  a  passage  and 
carry  Rugena  to  the  steps  of  a  neighboring  house.  The 
wagon  with  the  prisoner  was  far  off  already,  but  the 
crowd  which  followed  it  was  still  filing  through  the  nar- 
row street.  But  suddenly  the  stream  of  people  was  ar- 
rested ;  something  bewildering  had  happened ;  there  was 
the  sound  of  a  woman's  piercing  cry,  and  then  a  loud 
voice  was  heard : 

"Seize  him,  seize  him!" 

Then  everything  was  confusion  again  as  the  crowds, 
^advancing  from  behind,  pressed  forward,  crushing  those 
in  front. 

Svietomir  strained  his  ears  in  alarm.  In  the  powerful 
resonant  voice  he  thought  he  recognized  that  of  Broda. 
But  it  was  impossible  to  distinguish  anything.  The 
crowd  pressing  around  was  highly  excited,  and  kept 
shouting  and  waving  their  arms.  A  pale,  distracted- 
looking  woman  who  passed  near  them  answered  hurriedly 
to  Svietomir 's  question: 

"Some  one  is  killed." 

At  that  moment  there  was  an  opening  in  the  crowd, 
and  several  men  could  be  seen  carrying  the  body  of  a 
286 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

woman.  To  Svietomir's  horror  he  perceived  that  it  was 
Tullia. 

She  lay  immovable,  as  though  dead,  and  they  put  her 
down  several  paces  away  from  Rugena,  who  had  not  yet 
recovered  consciousness. 

Svietomir,  distracted,  did  not  know  what  to  do.  He 
dared  not  leave  the  Countess  to  question  the  men  who  had 
been  carrying  Tullia.  Suddenly,  to  his  great  joy,  he 
noticed  two  Polish  soldiers  of  Lord  Tarnovsky's  convoy. 
Calling  to  them,  he  placed  them  on  guard  near  Rugena, 
and  hastening  to  a  group  of  people  who  were  noisily  dis- 
cussing the  event,  asked  how  the  tragedy  had  occurred. 

' '  I  saw  it  all,  yet  can  make  nought  of  it, ' '  answered  one 
of  the  citizens.  ' '  She  was  not  far  from  me,  and  seemed 
to  wish  to  escape  the  throng,  which  was  difficult  as  the 
crowd  was  very  great.  I  was  standing  a  little  in  front 
of  her  and  did  not  notice  her ;  but  my  neighbor,  this  one, 
nudged  me  with  his  elbow:  'Look  you/  quoth  he, 
'there's  a  monk  trying  to  carry  off  his  light  o'  love.  A 
scurvy  lot,  these  black-frocks ! '  So  I  turned  round  and 
beheld  a  monk  endeavoring  to  bear  away  a  beautiful 
young  woman,  while  his  companion  forced  a  passage  for 
him  with  his  elbows.  She  seemed  dumb,  whether  with 
shame  or  fear  I  know  not,  and  made  no  resistance ;  but 
afterwards  she  began  to  struggle  and  call  for  help  from  a 
friend  of  hers,  I  fancy ;  for  some  sort  of  warrior,  doughty 
and  strong  as  a  bullock,  though  advanced  in  years,  began 
to  force  his  way  towards  her.  The  monks  observed  him 

287 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

also,  and  one  said  something  to  the  other  in  a  strange 
tongue.  Then  something  flashed  in  his  hand,  and  they 
both  vanished  in  the  crowd  like  stones  in  the  water.  The 
woman  stood  for  a  moment  as  though  nothing  had  hap- 
pened, then  threw  up  her  hands  and  fell.  We  ran  to  her 
and  saw  that  a  dagger  was  thrust  into  her^bosom.  Then 
she  was  carried  here,  and  the  warrior  disappeared  with 
the  monks. 

Svietomir  bent  down  and  examined  Tullia.  It  seemed 
to  him  that  the  wound,  if  not  mortal,  must  be  very  dan- 
gerous, as  the  stiletto  was  embedded  in  her  body  as  far  as 
its  handle.  Her  heart  still  beat,  though  faintly,  and  if 
she  could  be  restored  to  consciousness  she  might  be  able 
to  say  who  had  attacked  her. 

Explaining  that  the  wounded  girl  belonged  to  the  suite 
of  the  Countess  Waldstein,  who  was  lying  in  a  fainting- 
fit through  terror  at  the  crush,  Svietomir  promised  a 
handsome  reward  and  asked  the  spectators  to  help  him  to 
convey  them  both  home.  The  request  was  heartily  ac- 
ceded to,  and  one  of  the  citizens  offered  to  run  to  Dr. 
Bonelli  and  summon  him  to  the  aid  of  the  sufferers. 

By  this  time  the  crowd  had  nearly  dwindled  away,  and 
Rugena  opened  her  eyes.  In  order  not  to  alarm  her 
Svietomir  merely  told  her  that  Tullia  had  fainted,  having 
received  some  slight  injury  in  the  crowd,  and  that  he  had 
already  sent  for  the  physician.  The  young  Countess  was 
too  weak  to  proceed  home  on  foot.  A  litter  was  procured 
for  her  and  for  Tullia,  and  the  mournful  procession  set 
288 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

out,  accompanied  by  Svietomir,  who  was  indignant  at 
Broda's  mysterious  disappearance. 

The  doctor  who  had  been  summoned  arrived  at  the 
house  almost  simultaneously  with  them.  As  Rugena  was 
nearly  dropping  from  weakness  the  doctor  ordered  her  to 
be  put  to  bed,  saying  that  he  would  attend  to  her  after  he 
had  bound  up  Tullia's  wound. 

Tullia  still  lay  senseless.  Anna,  pale  and  distraught, 
was  bathing  her  forehead  and  temples  with  water. 

"She  breathes,  Signer  Bonelli;  but  is  still  unconscious. 
I  fear  to  remove  her  dress  as  it  is  adhering  to  the  wound, ' ' 
she  said,  giving  up  her  seat  to  the  doctor. 

Bonelli  carefully  cut  away  the  bodice,  and  laying  bare 
the  gash  examined  it  attentively. 

"The  wound  is  mortal.  She  will  die  when  the  dagger 
is  drawn  forth, ' '  he  said  to  Svietomir,  who  entered  at  the 
moment. 

"But  can  she  not  be  restored  to  consciousness?  Per- 
haps she  might  say  something  to  explain  the  outrage," 
said  Svietomir,  gazing  with  pity  at  Tullia's  lifeless  face. 

"I  will  try !  Be  so  kind  as  to  raise  her  a  little  while  I 
administer  a  stimulant. ' ' 

He  took  two  bottles  from  the  case  he  had  brought  with 
him.  With  the  contents  of  one  he  moistened  Tullia's 
temples  and  the  palms  of  her  hands,  and  then  held  the 
other  to  her  nose.  After  a  few  moments  a  shudder  ran 
through  her  body,  and  a  moan  of  anguish  was  heard,  her 
eyes  opened  and  were  fixed  with  a  dim  glassy  gaze  on  the 

289 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

spectators.  But  then  she  evidently  recognized  them,  and 
their  expression  grew  more  animated. 

"Brancaccio  stabbed  me!"  she  pronounced  in  hoarse, 
hissing  tones.  "He  and  Ilarius  tried  to  carry  me 
away.  .  .  ." 

Her  strength  failed  her  and  she  was  silent.  But  then, 
reviving  a  little,  she  continued  in  a  whisper : 

"  Everything  grows  dark  .  .  .  farewell  .  .  .  thank 
them  all,  and  the  Signora  Rugena  .  .  .  for  the  kindness 
shown  poor  Tullia.  ...  I  will  pray  God  for  you  there, 
and  on  them  .  .  .  the  villains  ...  I  will  be  re- 
venged. ..." 

These  last  words  she  pronounced  in  an  unexpectedly 
loud  voice,  and  there  was  a  flash  of  wild  hatred  for  a  mo- 
ment in  her  eyes  that  were  already  beginning  to  grow 
dim  again.  But  it  seemed  as  though  this  strain  had 
snapped  the  thread  of  life.  Tullia 's  head  fell  back  and 
the  blood  spurted  from  her  mouth ;  her  body  shuddered 
convulsively  and  grew  rigid. 

"All  is  over,"  said  Bonelli,  in  a  trembling  voice. 

When  the  young  doctor  heard  Tullia 's  words  that  her 
murderer  was  Brancaccio  he  started  and  turned  pale. 
Anna  and  Svietomir  were  struck  as  though  by  a  thunder- 
bolt at  the  sound  of  the  Cardinal 's  name,  and  they  stood 
beside  the  bed  in  dumb  astonishment. 

At  that  moment  the  door  was  flung  open  and  Count 
Ginek  entered,  in  a  state  of  alarm.  He  had  only  learnt 
of  the  tragic  event  on  his  return  home,  and  was  hastening 
to  make  inquiries  of  Svietomir.  He  was  deeply  affected 
290 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

on  hearing  of  the  murder,  and  of  Tullia's  last  words  upon 
her  death-bed. 

Having  commissioned  Svietomir  to  make  arrangements 
for  the  funeral,  he  was  about  to  depart  again  when 
Bonelli  approached  him  and  asked  leave  to  speak  to  him 
for  a  few  minutes.  The  Count,  surprised,  took  the  doctor 
into  his  room.  When  they  were  alone  Bonelli  said  with 
evident  agitation : 

"I  consider  it  my  duty  to  warn  you,  Count,  that  your 
daughter-in-law's  state  of  health  is  very  dangerous. 
Countess  Rugena  hath  been  poisoned  and  ..." 

"Maestro  Cosimo,  you  are  at  fault !  How  can  she  have 
been  poisoned?  By  whom?  'Tis  impossible;  you  are 
mistaken, ' '  said  the  Count  with  evident  annoyance. 

"I  would  I  were  mistaken,  but  unhappily  what  I  have 
said  is  but  the  bitter  truth !  When  I  was  summoned  be- 
fore to  the  young  Countess  some  symptoms  awoke  suspi- 
cions of  poison  in  my  mind.  But  I  deemed  it  impossible 
myself  and  would  not  speak  of  it  till  I  was  quite  con- 
vinced. The  antidote  prescribed  at  once  gave  rise  to 
vomiting,  and  part  of  the  vomit  I  took  away  to  examine 
it  after  a  manner  known  to  me.  This  morning  I  gained 
certain  proofs  that  poison  hath  been  administered  to  the 
Countess,  such  a  dangerous  poison  that  I  will  not  answer 
for  her  life.  I  was  preparing  to  bring  this  news  to  you 
when  they  came  to  summon  me." 

The  Count  turned  pale,  and  listened  with  horror  to  the 
speech  of  the  young  doctor,  the  gravity  of  whose  tone 
could  admit  no  doubt  of  the  truth  of  his  conclusions. 

291 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"But  what  is  to  be  done?"  the  Count  asked  helplessly. 

"We  must  fight  against  it  according  to  the  measure  of 
our  strength,  and — trust  in  God's  help.  I  think  I  have 
discovered  the  sort  of  poison  that  has  been  given  to  the 
Countess.  The  countless  cases  of  poisoning  in  our  times 
have  caused  me  to  devote  myself  to  the  study  of  poisons. 
I  will  take  the  necessary  measures,  though  I  warn  you 
that  I  cannot  answer  for  their  success." 

It  is  easy  to  imagine  the  grief  of  the  Count.  The  men- 
tion of  Brancaccio's  name  in  connection  with  Tullia's 
murder  filled  him  with  extremest  dread.  It  was  as 
though  Rugena  were  now  threatened,  not  merely  by 
poison,  but  by  some  malign  force ;  and  it  was  with  earnest- 
ness that  verged  upon  passionate  supplication  that  he 
besought  the  doctor  to  fight  against  this  force  by  which 
his  daughter-in-law's  life  was  endangered. 

Bonelli  went  to  Rugena,  and  the  Count  summoned 
Svietomir  to  him,  to  tell  him  what  he  had  just  learnt,  and 
his  own  conjectures  on  the  subject.  Svietomir  was  also 
overwhelmed  by  the  terrible  news,  and  did  not  for  a  mo- 
ment doubt  its  truth.  Brancaccio  was  quite  capable  of 
poisoning  a  woman  whom  he  had  striven  in  vain  to  pos- 
sess. 

Svietomir  was  already  leaving  the  house  to  purchase  a 
place  for  Tullia's  grave  and  order  her  coffin  when  Broda 
returned,  exhausted,  but  consumed  with  rage.  Svietomir 
begged  to  know  the  details  of  his  exploit;  and  Broda 
related  how,  having  recognized  Ilarius  as  one  of  the 
monks,  he  had  pursued  him.  Through  being  hindered  by 
292 


\ 

THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  crowd,  however,  he  had  not  succeeded  in  catching  the 
scoundrel,  and  although  he  had  continued  the  chase  for 
a  long  time  Ilarius  had  eventually  disappeared  in  some 
dark  by-way,  as  completely  as  though  he  had  vanished 
into  the  earth. 

From  inquiries,  however,  he  had  learnt  that  the  empty 
house,  the  garden  of  which  ran  along  by  that  same  dark 
by-way,  had  formerly  been  inhabited  by  Brancaccio,  who 
still  remained  master  of  the  premises,  as  the  rent  was 
paid  some  months  in  advance. 

"So  that  I  have  discovered  the  beast's  den.  I  swear, 
as  I  hope  to  gain  heaven,  that  I  will  not  rest  until  both 
those  ruffians  have  received  the  punishment  they  have 
merited." 

Count  Ginek  had  intended  to  inform  Vok  immediately 
of  the  Countess's  condition;  but  as  on  the  following  day 
Rugena  seemed  to  be  almost  entirely  well  again,  and  was 
busily  making  preparations  for  the  funeral,  he  felt  less 
anxious,  and  hoped  that  the  danger  had  been  averted  by 
the  timely  measures  of  the  doctor.  So  he  wrote  nothing 
of  it  to  his  son,  in  order  that  he  should  not  be  uselessly 
alarmed. 

At  the  same  time  important  events  were  taking  place 
which  absorbed  the  attention  of  contemporaries  and  kept 
the  eyes  of  all  Christendom  fixed  upon  the  little  German 
town  in  which  the  Council  was  then  sitting.  In  a  solemn 
conference  the  Council  of  Constance  tried  the  absentee, 
Pope  John  XXIII,  and  forbade  him  the  further  fulfilment 

293 


THE    TORCH-BEAEERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

of  his  duties;  while  thirty -seven  witnesses,  among  them 
twelve  bishops,  brought  sixty-three  charges  against  him. 
The  Council,  out  of  respect  for  the  apostolic  throne,  and 
for  the  rank  of  Cardinal,  struck  out  from  the  long  list 
thirty  of  the  crimes  ascribed  to  the  representative  of 
Christ,  and  they  remained  a  secret.  But  in  order  to  im- 
part some  adequate  notion  of  the  nature  of  those  points 
concealed  it  is  enough  to  mention  a  few  of  the  charges 
which  were  upheld  and  publicly  proclaimed.  Thus,  it 
was  held  to  be  proved  that  Cossa  had  poisoned  his  prede- 
cessor, Alexander  V;  that  he  had  shamelessly  bartered 
places  and  Church  property;  that  he  had  robbed,  plun- 
dered, and  murdered  during  his  presence  in  Bologna,  and 
had  been  guilty  of  criminal  intercourse  with  his  daughter- 
in-law;  that  he  had  seduced  three  hundred  nuns  whom 
afterwards  he  had  made  abbesses  of  different  nunneries, 
and  had  committed  many  other  outrages.  In  conclusion 
the  Council  declared  that  such  a  monster  was  unworthy 
of  his  rank,  and  released  Christianity  from  its  oath  of  al- 
legiance to  him,  ordered  his  coat-of-arms  to  be  destroyed, 
and  the  papal  seal  presented  to  him  to  be  broken.  This 
decree,  together  with  the  act  of  abdication,  was  carried 
by  five  Cardinals  to  be  personally  signed  by  Cossa  in 
Rudolphstsel  Castle,  where  he  had  been  confined  by  the 
Austrian  duke,  who  had  now  become  his  gaoler. 

Pope  John  XXIII,  now  transformed  into  plain  Baldas- 
sare  Cossa,  was  then  imprisoned  in  the  very  castle  of 
Gottlieben  in  which  his  innocent  victim,  John  Hus,  was 
languishing. 
294 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

While  these  weighty  events  were  in  course  of  progress 
all  Bohemians  were  trembling  for  the  fate  of  Jerome. 
After  a  preliminary  investigation,  the  prisoner  was 
handed  over  to  Johannes  von  "Wallenrod,  Bishop  of  Riga, 
of  infamous  memory.  This  Bishop,  with  the  concealed 
malice  of  a  German  and  a  Catholic  priest,  submitted  the 
unhappy  Jerome  to  an  absolutely  inquisitorial  trial, 
thus  revenging  himself  upon  his  victim  for  his  Slav 
origin,  his  love  for  his  country,  and  his  adhesion  to  the 
Orthodox  Church.  At  night  Jerome  was  transferred  to 
the  tower  of  the  cemetery  of  St.  Paul,  where  he  was  en- 
closed in  a  dark,  evil-smelling  cell  with  his  arms  chained 
above  his  head  in  such  a  manner  that  they  compressed  his 
throat  and  even  prevented  his  sitting  down.  It  was  only 
after  two  days  that  his  friends  learnt  what  had  become  of 
him,  and  took  measures  to  alleviate  his  lot.  But  his  tor- 
ments nevertheless  were  such  that  he  fell  ill.  While  he 
was  still  struggling  with  death  Hus  was  transferred  to 
the  Franciscan  monastery. 

Count  Waldstein's  fears  were  soon  aroused  again  after 
their  temporary  lull.  The  slight  amelioration  in  Ru- 
gena's  health  gave  place  to  terrible  weakness  and  con- 
stant fainting  fits.  At  first  Count  Ginek  ascribed  these 
symptoms  to  agitation  and  the  tears  Rugena  had  shed 
over  Tullia's  tragic  fate.  Rugena  was  kept  in  ignorance 
of  the  fact  that  she  had  been  poisoned.  But  Bonelli 
openly  admitted  to  the  Count  that  the  poison  was  little 
by  little  accomplishing  its  work  of  destruction,  and  that 

295 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Rugena's  condition  was  extremely  dangerous.  Count 
Ginek  fell  into  despair,  and  no  longer  delayed  in  com- 
municating the  fearful  tidings  to  Vok,  and  urgently  sum- 
moning him  to  Constance. 

A  cloud  of  gloom  and  anxiety  lay  over  the  house. 
Anna  and  Svietomir  could  scarcely  conceal  their  anguish, 
and  lavished  upon  the  invalid  the  most  loving  and  devoted 
care.  Sometimes,  when  Rugena  seemed  a  little  better, 
their  spirits  rose,  and  they  began  to  hope ;  but  with  every 
fresh  fainting-fit,  followed  by  a  prolonged  attack  of 
weakness,  they  were  cast  into  despair  again. 

In  Svietomir  and  Broda  the  fear  for  Rugena's  life  was 
mixed  with  the  longing  to  punish  the  infamous  murderer. 
With  this  object  Broda  often  strolled  about  the  town  and 
the  surrounding  districts  in  disguise,  hunting  for  traces 
of  Brancaccio  and  his  accomplice;  but  so  far  his  efforts 
had  been  in  vain. 

One  day  when  Svietomir  had  returned  home  from  the 
Waldsteins  and  was  sitting  alone,  sad  and  thoughtful, 
Broda  suddenly  entered  dressed  as  a  driver.  He  looked 
disturbed,  but  triumphant,  and  hastened  to  tell  Svieto- 
mir that  he  had  captured  Ilarius  in  the  most  unexpected 
manner. 

' '  I  was  deeply  convinced  that  the  house  in  which  Bran- 
caccio lived  at  one  time,  and  which  he  doth  still  retain, 
serves  them  as  a  trysting-place.  Therefore  for  the  most 
part  I  kept  near  it.  To-day  I  was  tired  by  much  walking, 
and  went  to  rest  and  refresh  myself  in  the  drinking- 
tavern  over  against  the  house  in  which  Cardinal  Ursino 
296 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

dwells.  I  sat  and  drank  my  wine,  and  marked  a  begging- 
friar  come  forth  from  the  gates.  At  first  I  paid  not  much 
attention  to  him,  for  they  are  no  rare  birds  here.  But 
when,  as  he  cast  his  sack  over  his  shoulder,  his  wide  sleeves 
fell  back,  I  noted  a  great  scar  upon  his  elbow.  'Twas  a 
revelation  to  me,  for  I  recognized  it  as  the  scar  of  that 
same  wound  Harius  received  at  the  hunt — when  the  wild 
boar  tore  his  arm.  Then,  knowing  him  in  spite  of  his 
disguise,  I  began  to  follow  him.  He  had  evidently  not 
observed  me,  for  who  would  take  notice  of  a  common 
driver?  The  scoundrel  went  straight  to  Brancaccio's 
house.  Slipping  down  the  lane,  he  drew  the  key  from  his 
pocket  and  opened  the  gate  in  the  wall.  I  did  not  let  him 
shut  it  again,  but  pushed  against  it  with  such  strength 
that  he  fell  flat  at  the  blow.  Then  I  bound  him,  gagged 
him  and  dragged  him  into  the  house,  making  sure  before- 
hand that  it  was  quite  empty.  The  scurvy  knave,  may 
God  forgive  me,  had  lost  his  senses  from  the  fright ;  and 
though  I  shook  him  never  so  violently  he  gave  no  sign 
of  life.  But  if  you  will  give  me  your  aid  we  will  soon 
loosen  his  tongue." 

Svietomir  at  once  seized  his  cloak  and  his  weapons,  and 
they  both  set  out  for  the  house  almost  at  a  running  pace. 
They  found  Harius  in  the  same  condition  in  which  Broda 
had  left  him,  except  that  he  was  conscious  and  lay  with  his 
eyes  open.  Removing  the  gag  from  his  mouth,  Svietomir 
ordered  him  to  tell  them  where  Brancaccio  was,  and  what 
he  knew  of  the  poisoning  of  Rugena. 

"With  his  usual  abjectness,  Harius  counted  on  acquiring 

297 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

his  freedom  once  again  by  making  full  confession.  Pale 
with  terror,  he  muttered  that  Brancaccio  was  traveling  in 
Italy,  where  he  was  to  follow  him  after  having  fulfilled 
his  secret  mission  to  the  secretary  of  Cardinal  Ursino. 
Then,  quite  openly,  he  proceeded  to  describe  how  Bran- 
caccio, thirsting  for  vengeance,  had  resolved  to  poison 
Rugena  and  to  punish  the  traitress  Tullia  by  carrying  her 
away  and  submitting  her  to  a  lingering  death  by  torture. 
A  servant  in  the  Waldsteins'  house  had  been  bought  with 
the  aid  of  a  monk  of  their  acquaintance,  and  this  woman 
had  administered  the  poison  to  Rugena,  who,  accidentally, 
had  only  drunk  a  part  of  it.  The  attempt  could  not  be 
repeated  because  Mistress  von  Laufenstein  had  left  the 
town  on  a  visit  to  a  sister  of  hers  who  was  sick,  and  had 
taken  their  accomplice  with  her. 

As  Tullia  went  out  very  seldom,  and  never  alone,  it 
had  been  impossible  to  abduct  her.  The  Cardinal  was 
furious,  and  daily  haunted  the  house  which  contained  his 
victim.  On  that  fatal  day  they  had  followed  the  Countess 
and  her  attendants  the  whole  way.  Observing  that  Tullia 
became  separated  from  her  companions  and  lost  in  the 
crowd,  the  Cardinal  had  thought  it  a  fitting  occasion  to 
make  his  attempt.  And  he  had  actually  seized  her,  and 
while  Harms  made  a  way  was  dragging  her  along  with 
him.  Tullia,  when  she  saw  the  Cardinal,  was  at  first  too 
terrified  to  utter  a  word,  and  the  crowd  had  laughed  and 
jested  at  their  expense.  When  she  began  to  scream  and 
struggle,  several  people  had  come  forward  to  her  aid ;  but 
the  Cardinal  had  cried  to  them  that  she  was  a  run-away 
298 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

nun  whom  he  was  taking  back  to  her  convent,  so  that  the 
others  had  ceased  to  interfere.  He  might  have  succeeded 
in  getting  clear  with  her,  had  not  Broda  noticed  them, 
and  put  them  both  to  flight.  Then,  in  mad  rage  that  his 
enterprise  was  on  the  point  of  failing,  Brancaccio  had 
stabbed  Tullia,  resolved  that  she  should  not  escape  him 
alive. 

"And  even  now  he  cannot  forgive  himself  that  all  did 
not  fall  out  as  he  desired, ' '  concluded  Harms,  exhausted, 
looking  with  terror  at  his  auditors. 

Then  he  wriggled  to  their  feet  and  began  to  pray  for 
mercy.  Broda,  paying  no  attention  to  his  supplications, 
gagged  his  mouth  again,  unbound  his  legs,  and  ordered 
him  to  follow  them  unless  he  desired  to  taste  his  dagger. 

On  the  following  day  passers-by  were  confounded  by  a 
horrifying  spectacle.  From  the  iron  hook  over  the  outer 
door  of  this  empty  house,  instead  of  a  lantern,  dangled 
the  body  of  a  monk.  When  the  body  was  taken  down  it 
proved  to  be  that  of  the  Italian  Cardinal 's  secretary,  who 
had  formerly  lived  in  the  house.  But  it  was  never  dis- 
covered who  had  committed  the  murder,  and  the  affair 
was  soon  forgotten  amid  the  general  unrest  and  the  ex- 
traordinary events  that  followed  quickly  one  upon  an- 
other. 


299 


THE  latest  news  which  reached  Hus  in  the  Castle  of 
Gottlieben  was  that  his  sworn  enemy,  John  XXIII,  now 
plain  Baldassare  Cossa,  was  his  companion  in  misfortune, 
and  that  they  were  imprisoned  within  the  same  walls. 

Another  man  might  have  found  pleasure  in  this  retribu- 
tion dealt  by  Fate ;  but  the  gentle  soul  of  Hus  was  free 
from  every  taint  of  spite  or  malice. 

"The  earthly  God  hath  fallen  and  lies  groaning  in 
chains,"  wrote  Hus  to  his  friends.  "The  Council  hath 
deposed  him  for  trading  in  indulgences,  bishoprics,  and 
profitable  places;  while  they  who  have  condemned  him 
have  themselves  bought  them  of  him  and  traded  in  them. 
Oh,  perfidious  brood !  Why  do  they  not  pluck  the  beam 
from  their  own  eyes!  Should  Lord  Jesus  say  to  the 
Council,  'Let  him  among  you  who  is  guiltless  of  simony 
judge  Pope  John,  methinks  all  would  flee,  one  after  the 
other.  .  .  ." 

Hus's  removal  to  Constance  for  trial  roused  the  hopes 
of  his  innumerable  friends.  They  were  convinced  that  if 
only  he  were  given  the  opportunity  he  would  inevitably 
disprove  all  the  accusations  brought  against  him.  But 
the  very  first  sitting  was  a  disappointment  to  them,  since 
it  showed  that  justice  was  the  last  thing  the  reverend 
fathers  of  the  Council  had  in  view. 
300 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

In  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  June  the  cardinals,  bish- 
ops, prelates,  magisters,  doctors,  and  other  members  of  the 
Council  assembled  in  the  great  refectory  of  the  Francis- 
cans. Among  them  were  Peter  of  Mladenovic  and  Ulric, 
a  young  Bohemian  priest,  one  of  his  friends. 

The  meeting  was  excited,  and  began  the  reading  of  the 
indictment  and  the  examination  of  the  witnesses  before 
the  accused  had  been  led  in.  One  of  the  members  even 
proposed  to  go  straight  on  to  the  consideration  of  the  in- 
criminating articles  and  to  the  casting  of  votes,  the  re- 
sults of  which  could  be  later  communicated  to  Hus. 
While  this  proposition  was  being  discussed,  Ulric,  whom 
we  have  mentioned  above,  looking  over  the  shoulder  of 
the  secretary  at  the  indictment,  gave  a  sudden  exclama- 
tion and  turned  pale. 

He  turned  hastily  to  his  friend  and  whispered  into  his 
ear: 

"I  have  just  seen  Hus's  sentence  already  drawn  up!" 

Peter  of  Mladenovic,  no  less  horrified,  hastened  to  ac- 
quaint John  of  Chulm  and  Venceslas  of  Duba  with  the 
proceedings  of  the  Council;  and  they  went  at  once  to 
Sigismund  and  succeeded  in  persuading  him  to  put  a  stop 
to  such  flagrant  illegalities.  The  prelates  dared  not  op- 
pose him,  and  Hus  was  led  before  the  Council.  Such  a 
beginning  augured  no  good  to  the  prisoner. 

Serious,  absorbed,  and  full  of  dignity,  Hus  stood  before 
his  enemies,  in  the  front  ranks  of  whom  were  placed 
Paleck  and  Michael  de  Causis,  seething  with  hatred  and 
insolently  derisive.  The  reading  of  some  of  the  accusa- 

301 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

tions  was  begun,  and  the  enumeration  of  the  witness's 
depositions  in  their  support.  But  when  Hus  tried  to  give 
an  explanatory  answer,  the  scarcely  concealed  spite  of 
those  present  was  vented  upon  him  in  a  torrent  of  insults 
and  abuse  which  drowned  his  voice. 

The  noise  and  uproar  was  such  that  Luther,  recalling 
the  scene  in  one  of  his  writings,  characterizes  it  in  the 
following  bold  words:  "They  all  raged  like  savage 
swine,  bristling,  grinding  their  teeth,  and  sharpening 
their  tusks  against  Hus.  He  alone  stood  calm  amidst  the 
tempest,  and  only  looked  mournfully  at  these  people  in 
whom  he  had  hoped  to  find  impartial  judges,  and  in  whom 
he  found  none  but  enemies. ' ' 

When  the  uproar  had  subsided  a  little  Hus  observed 
mildly : 

"In  truth,  I  thought  this  Council  would  have  been 
conducted  in  a  manner  more  seemly  and  more  or- 
derly!" 

Whether  or  no  his  judges,  blinded  by  the  spirit  of 
party-hatred,  felt  the  reproach  contained  in  the  simple 
words  of  the  humble  priest  whom  they  desired  to  ruin, 
does  not  appear;  but  the  senior  Cardinal,  Cardinal 
D'Ailly  (Petrus  ab  Alliaco),  shouted: 

"How  canst  thou  speak  so?  In  the  castle  thou  didst 
speak  far  more  reasonably ! ' ' 

"None  cried  out  against  me  in  the  castle.  Now  all  cry 
out  together,"  answered  Hus. 

His  answer  provoked  a  new  outburst  of  anger  and 
abuse.  The  president,  seeing  that  the  excited  condition 
302 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

of  the  reverend  fathers  would  effectually  prevent  the 
achievement  of  any  result,  closed  the  meeting. 

The  Bohemian  barons  in  indignation  complained  to 
Sigismund,  and  he  promised  to  be  present  at  the  second 
meeting,  which  was  appointed  for  the  7th  of  June. 

It  is  impossible  to  dwell  in  detail  upon  this  revolting 
parody  of  a  trial,  which  set  at  defiance  all  law,  and  even 
the  most  elementary  forms  of  justice.  The  proceedings 
were  conducted  by  pronounced  enemies  of  Hus;  their 
depositions  alone  were  accepted.  Hus,  upon  the  other 
hand,  was  refused  a  hearing  and  deprived  of  every  pos- 
sibility of  defending  himself.  They  tried  to  force  him 
to  deny  assertions  which  he  had  never  made,  such,  for 
example,  as  that  he  was  the  third  person  of  the  Blessed 
Trinity,  that  he  did  not  believe  in  God,  and  so  forth. 
They  accused  him  of  having  spread  and  defended  the 
doctrines  of  Wycliffe,  even  those  which  he  had  himself 
rejected.  It  may  safely  be  conjectured  that  the  Council, 
which  had  taken  a  lenient  view  of  teachings  far  more 
dangerous  and  criminal  than  the  doctrines  of  the  English 
philosopher  (namely,  those  of  Jean  Petit),  sought  to  pun- 
ish in  Hus  not  so  much  a  heretic  as  a  bold  reviler  of  the 
misdeeds  and  vices  of  the  priesthood. 

Hus  appeared  four  times  before  the  Council,  three 
times  for  examination  and  so-called  self-defense,  and  the 
fourth  for  judgment  and  deposition. 

The  second  meeting  took  place  upon  the  7th  of  June, 
and  the  presence  of  the  Emperor,  who  threatened  to  expel 
all  unruly  persons  from  the  hall,  imposed  some  restraint 

303 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

upon  it.  The  prisoner 's  most  implacable  enemy,  Michael 
de  Causis,  read  the  act  of  indictment,  and  Cardinal 
D  'Ailly,  who  presided,  submitted  the  prisoner  to  a  rigor- 
ous cross-examination  with  the  object  of  eliciting  whether 
or  no  he  were  a  Christian.  Then  there  came  to  light  one 
of  the  reasons  which  had  provoked  so  much  spite  against 
Hus,  namely,  that  he  had  been  instrumental  in  driving 
the  Germans  from  Prague;  and  this  accusation  was  the 
signal  for  new  and  furious  attacks,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  of  the  two  points  which  he  was  permitted  to 
answer  he  was  able  to  exculpate  himself.  This  gave  birth 
to  hopes  of  a  happy  outcome,  but  .  .  .  the  illusion  was 
short-lived. 

The  third  inquiry  commenced  with  the  reading  of 
different  extracts  from  Hus's  book,  De  Ecclesia,  and  other 
works,  in  support  of  Paleck's  accusation  that  Hus  had 
denied  the  power  of  the  Pope  in  the  case  of  the  latter 's 
being  guilty  of  crime.  Hus  answered  warmly  that  the 
habit  of  bestowing  the  title  of  " Holiness"  upon  an  un- 
worthy and  criminal  Pope  was  pernicious;  but  he  pro- 
tested against  opinions  ascribed  to  him  which  he  had 
never  professed,  as  also  against  the  incorrect  interpreta- 
tion and  distortion  of  expressions  used  by  him.  He  was 
cut  short,  and  his  voice  was  drowned  by  various  offensive 
outbursts  and  vile  insinuations  on  the  part  of  Paleck  and 
Michael  de  Causis. 

It  was  a  stormy  meeting,  and  finally  Cardinal  D  'Ailly 
called  upon  Hus  to  submit  to  the  decision  of  the  Council, 
304 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

to  admit  that  he  had  erred  in  those  of  his  works  presented 
to  the  Council,  to  renounce  them  publicly,  and  hencefor- 
ward to  preach  and  write  the  opposite  of  what  he  had 
preached  and  written  until  that  day. 

But  notwithstanding  the  danger  menacing  him  Hus 
stood  firm  for  his  convictions.  While  denying  the  power 
of  the  Church  representatives  present  in  the  Council  to 
force  him  to  an  act  which  he  considered  shameful,  this 
dauntless  champion  of  freedom  of  conscience  against  the 
powers  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  through  his  characteristic 
modesty,  was  unaware  of  the  greatness  of  his  historical 
mission.  He  was  unaware  that  he  was  at  that  moment 
struggling  for  the  deliverance  of  the  Western  world 
from  a  crushing  yoke. 

He  answered  simply  that  he  was  ready  to  submit  to  the 
Council  and  deny  the  doctrines  he  had  hitherto  defended, 
on  condition  that  the  Council  would  prove  to  him  by  the 
Holy  Gospel  that  those  doctrines  were  erroneous.  But  he 
begged  them  not  to  ask  him  to  deny  doctrines  which  he 
had  never  professed,  as  such  falseness  was  forbidden  by 
his  conscience. 

In  vain  the  Archbishops  of  Florence  and  Cambrai 
tried  to  persuade  him  to  make  an  unconditional  submis- 
sion. 

"Hearken,  John  Hus,"  said  the  Emperor,  who  also 
wished  to  get  the  matter  settled.  "Wherefore  dost  thou 
not  recant  those  false  views  which  thou  hast  said  the  wit- 
nesses have  unjustly  ascribed  to  thee  ?  I  should  be  very 

305 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

ready  to  renounce  all  errors  and  to  swear  that  I  will  no 
more  entertain  them ;  but  that  would  not  prove  that  I  had 
entertained  them  hitherto. ' ' 

"Emperor!  That  is  not  the  meaning  of  the  word 
recant." 

Realizing  that  this  play  of  words  was  proposed  to  him 
in  order  that  he  might  be  saved  and  the  authority  of  the 
Council  at  the  same  time  upheld,  he  firmly  rejected  it. 
Though  it  was  obvious  to  him  that  his  case  was  lost,  he 
would  not  purchase  his  life  at  the  price  of  denying  the 
truth  of  his  convictions. 

Even  Paleck  was  subdued  by  this  firm  stand  of  one 
against  the  whole  Christian  world.  Either  he  was  moved 
by  pity,  or  else  he  felt  a  pang  of  conscience  at  the  vileness 
of  the  role  he  played ;  but  now  he  thought  it  opportune  to 
state  that  he  himself  had  no  personal  cause  for  displeas- 
ure against  Hus,  and  that  only  the  interests  of  Christian- 
ity had  impelled  him  to  demand  his  conviction.  Perhaps 
the  Fathers  of  the  Council  believed  this  declaration,  for 
they  praised  his  restraint  and  humanity;  but  posterity 
may  permit  itself  to  doubt  in  their  sincerity. 

But  even  supposing  that  Paleck,  who  was  all  the  same 
a  man  of  learning,  a  former  friend  of  Hus,  and  born  in 
the  same  village,  may  have  been  moved  by  shame  and 
pity,  it  was  ridiculous  for  Michael  de  Causis,  that  son  of 
a  German  miner,  a  proven  liar  and  swindler,  and  a  sworn 
enemy  of  the  Bethlehem  preacher,  to  pretend  to  share  his 
feelings  and  embark  upon  a  dissertation  on  the  voice  of 
conscience,  the  general  welfare,  and  Christian  faith. 
306 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Hus  contented  himself  by  saying : 

"God  will  be  our  Judge." 

Sigismund  closed  the  sitting  with  the  following  ad- 
dress to  the  accused : 

"I  did  promise  thee  my  protection  during  thy  journey, 
and  on  thine  arrival  here,  that  none  might  offer  the  small- 
est offense,  and  that  thou  mightest  freely  expound  thy 
views  before  the  Council  and  answer  as  to  thy  beliefs. 
Thou  hast  seen  thyself  with  what  leniency  and  conscien- 
tiousness the  Cardinals  and  Bishops  have  redeemed  my 
promise  to  thee,  for  which  I  owe  them  much  gratitude. ' ' 

After  this  Bishop  John  von  Wallenrod,  who  was  com- 
missioned to  guard  the  prisoner,  ordered  him  to  be  re- 
moved and  conveyed  back  to  his  prison. 


307 


VI 

IN  the  dark,  damp  prison  of  the  Franciscan  monastery 
which  he  was  fated  to  quit  only  to  go  to  his  death,  Hus 
was  sitting  at  a  table  reading  the  Gospel  by  the  light  of  a 
small  oil  lamp — a  luxury  for  which  he  was  deeply  grate- 
ful to  his  friends. 

He  had  grown  much  thinner.  His  face,  emaciated  by 
illness,  deprivation,  and  suffering  both  physical  and 
moral,  looked  as  though  it  were  made  of  wax.  But  in  his 
large,  sad,  dreamy  eyes  shone  the  same  proud  spirit  which 
nothing  could  subdue. 

He  was  not  chained  to  his  bed  as  he  had  been  in  Gott- 
lieben ;  but  he  still  had  chains  upon  his  hands  and  feet. 
He  shut  the  book  at  last,  and  leaning  upon  the  table  be- 
came thoughtful.  As  the  days  had  passed  he  had  lived 
through  many  painful  moments,  and  many  feelings  which 
he  had  thought  to  be  vanquished  and  extinct  had  revived 
again  and  racked  his  soul.  During  the  long  months  of 
moral  agony  his  whole  being  was  completely  transformed 
— purified  and  made  more  spiritual.  The  earthly  weak- 
nesses at  last  forsook  him,  ajid  all  human  desires  were  for- 
gotten in  his  fervent  faith  in  God,  into  Whose  hands  he 
committed  his  life  and  destiny. 

A  few  days  before,  the  Bishops  had  asked  him  whether 
he  desired  to  confess,  and  he  accepted  the  proposal  joy- 
308 


THE    TORCH-BEAREKS    OP    BOHEMIA 

fully.  With  that  truly  Christian  meekness  and  humility 
which  distinguished  him  even  among  the  ranks  of  famous 
martyrs,  he  chose  as  his  confessor  Stephen  Paleck. 

"He  is  my  bitterest  opponent,"  said  Hus,  "and  to  him 
will  I  confess." 

Even  Paleck  was  touched  by  the  nobility  of  his  victim's 
soul.  He  would  rather  have  refused  the  painful  task  of 
absolving  the  sins  of  a  man  to  whom  he  had  himself  been 
the  cause  of  so  much  evil ;  moved  perhaps  by  remorse  of 
conscience,  however,  he  went  to  the  prison  of  his  former 
friend  with  the  intention  of  persuading  him  to  recant. 

It  was  an  affecting  meeting.  Hus  begged  his  false 
friend's  pardon  for  any  chance  rough  or  discourteous 
words  which  might  have  escaped  him  during  his  trial ;  but 
to  Paleck 's  persuasions  he  answered: 

"What  wouldst  thou  do  if  thou  wert  pressed  to  deny 
heresies  which  thou  hadst  never  preached  ? ' ' 

' '  It  would  indeed  be  difficult, ' '  answered  Paleck ;  and 
burst  into  sobs. 

"How  couldst  thou  say  that  I  believe  not  in  God,  and 
that  since  the  birth  of  Christ  there  has  been  no  more 
dangerous  heretic  than  I  ? " 

Paleck  tried  to  deny  having  said  this,  and  with  renewed 
earnestness  tried  to  persuade  Hus  to  abandon  his  convic- 
tions. 

Hus  categorically  refused  and  added : 

"Why,  why  hast  thou  worked  me  so  much  evil?" 

And  Paleck  departed  from  him  in  tears. 

The  agitating  influence  of  this  meeting  was  still  fresh 

309 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

upon  the  prisoner  when,  shortly  after  noonday  Michael  de 
Causis  appeared  in  his  cell,  abused  him,  and  with  ma- 
licious joy  informed  him  of  his  approaching  martyrdom. 

His  bitter  disappointment  in  humankind,  his  anguish 
at  the  betrayal  of  friendship,  a  feeling  of  protest  against 
the  Emperor  who  had  treacherously  incited  his  judges 
against  him  after  having  promised  him  protection,  and 
against  the  unjust  cruelty  with  which  he  had  been  treated, 
these  emotions  shook  the  steadfast  soul  of  Hus.  His 
spirit  writhed  in  its  agony.  He  was  bitterly  grieved  at 
leaving  the  work,  not  yet  accomplished,  among  his  faith- 
ful followers  and  in  the  Bethlehem  Chapel.  A  shudder 
convulsed  his  body  at  thought  of  the  frightful  torments 
which  awaited  him.  .  .  .  These  were  minutes  of  fierce 
struggle,  of  rebellion  of  spirit,  of  human  weakness  by 
which  the  elect  of  God  are  frequently  visited;  and  Hus 
sought  vainly  in  the  Gospel  for  that  support,  strength, 
and  tranquillity  which  he  was  wont  to  draw  from  it.  He 
tried  to  pray,  but  that  access  of  fervor  which  usually 
transported  him  above  the  earth  and  its  sorrows  was  not 
forthcoming. 

The  sound  of  bolts  being  drawn  back  in  his  door  roused 
him  from  his  reflections. 

"One  of  my  friends  hath  come  to  visit  me,  and  the 
turnkey  will  inform  me  of  it, ' '  thought  Hus. 

But  to  his  astonishment  he  beheld  two  female  figures 
shrouded  in  cloaks.    One  was  aiding  the  feeble  steps  of 
,the  other,  who  sank  upon  her  knees  in  front  of  him  and 
with  trembling  hands  threw  back  her  veil. 
310 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Rugena!" 

The  cry  broke  from  him,  full  of  astonishment,  and  joy 
and  grief.  ' '  My  dearest  children !  How  can  I  thank  you 
for  not  having  forgot  the  poor  prisoner  and  for  giving 
him  the  joy  of  seeing  you !  I  have  not  even  seats  to  offer 
you  in  this  sorry  place. ' ' 

' '  There  will  be  place  for  Rugena  upon  the  bench  beside 
you,  for  she  is  ill.  But  I  will  remain  at  your  feet.  No- 
where am  I  happier, ' '  said  Anna,  raising  her  friend  and 
seating  her. 

Rugena  was  so  weakened  by  agitation  that  Hus  was 
obliged  to  support  her. 

She  trembled  at  the  sound  of  his  fetters. 

"You  are  in  chains,  Father  John?  Oh,  monstrous! 
How  can  they  deal  thus  with  the  most  righteous  of  men, 
with  a  Saint!" 

Hus  shook  his  head  reprovingly. 

"Speak  not  thus,  my  daughter.  Do  not  compare  me, 
a  grievous  sinner,  with  the  holy  ones  of  God ! ' ' 

"Oh,  hush!  What  sins  have  you  committed,  and 
when?"  cried  Rugena. 

Hus  smiled  sadly. 

"All  the  sins  common  to  men,  my  daughter!  In  my 
youth  I  loved  fine  clothes  and  society,  and  the  game 
of  chess.  I  was  vain  of  my  success  in  science  and  in- 
clined to  wrath.  Oh,  the  list  of  my  transgressions  is 
long,  and  the  pain  which  God  inflicts  upon  me  richly 
deserved ! ' ' 

"You  have  long  since  redeemed  it  all  by  suffering! 

311 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Anna  and  Svietomir  and  I  are  resolved  to  arrange  your 
escape,  or  your  enemies  will  kill  you. ' ' 

Hus  shook  his  head. 

"I  thank  you  for  your  devotion,  my  daughter.  But 
know  that  even  if  the  doors  of  my  prison  were  opened  I 
would  not  go  before  justifying  myself  in  the  eyes  of  all. 
I  would  not  betray  the  truth  to  save  my  contemptible 
body,  and  give  my  brethren  the  sorry  example  of  flight 
in  the  face  of  danger.  Of  what  worth  would  be  my  life 
to  me — stained,  dishonored,  and  of  use  to  none  ? ' ' 

"But  they  will  commit  you  to  a  horrible  death.  All 
betray  you  and  persecute  you ! ' '  Anna  could  not  refrain 
from  exclaiming,  with  tears  in  her  eyes. 

"I  know  that  the  Emperor  condemned  me  before- my 
trial!  But  if  my  death  can  serve  as  an  example  to  my 
brethren  I  will  gladly  sacrifice  myself." 

"Why  is  there  no  justice  in  the  world!"  moaned 
Rugena. 

"Are  lies  and  falsity  ever  persecuted?  Of  what  im- 
portance is  my  death  when  Christ  died  on  the  Cross? 
And  how  numerous  are  the  consolations  God  hath  sent 
me!  Hath  He  not  sustained  me,  and  sent  me  friends 
whom  nothing  can  dismay,  as,  for  instance,  John  of 
Chulm,  who  hath  come  hither  to  stretch  out  a  hand  to  the 
luckless  one  by  all  abandoned  and  scorned  as  a  heretic? 
And  to-day  you  two  have  come.  ..." 

He  stopped,  observing  that  Rugena  had  turned  pale, 
and  that  her  head  drooped  helplessly  towards  his  shoulder. 
312 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

At  first  sight  of  the  Countess  he  had  noticed  the  terrible 
change  in  her — her  deadly  paleness,  her  feverishly  burn- 
ing eyes,  the  presence  of  those  indescribable  tokens  which 
death  imprints  on  man.  At  that  moment,  with  her  eyes 
closed  and  her  mouth  half -open,  Rugena  seemed  already 
dead.  Yet  she  was  beautiful,  as  before,  with  that  won- 
derful ethereal  beauty  in  which  there  was  no  trace  of 
earth. 

"That  villain  Brancaccio  hath  poisoned  her,  and  noth- 
ing now  can  help  her,"  whispered  Anna,  moistening 
Rugena 's  forehead  and  temples  with  water  from  the 
pitcher. 

Rugena  soon  opened  her  eyes,  and  meeting  the  gaze  of 
Hus,  so  full  of  alarm  and  pity,  burst  into  sobs. 

"Father  John!"  she  cried,  seizing  his  hands  within 
her  own;  "you  too  see  that  my  death  is  close  at  hand? 
I  feel  that  he  hath  already  laid  his  icy  grip  upon  me; 
and  yet  I  fear  ...  I  fear  so  much  to  die!  I  want  to 
live!  .  .  ." 

Sobs  choked  her  utterance.  Hus  was  consumed  with 
pity. 

"Do  not  give  way  thus  to  gloomy  thoughts,  my  daugh- 
ter, imagining  your  passing  weakness  a  foreshadowing  of 
death,"  he  said  compassionately,  bending  over  her. 
"The  young  have  an  inexhaustible  reserve  of  strength; 
and  I  am  full  of  hope  that  you  will  recover.  But  never- 
theless let  us  not  account  Death  a  cruel  enemy.  He  is  a 
kindly  spirit  sent  from  Heaven  to  assuage  our  sufferings 

313 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

and  carry  our  souls  home  to  our  Heavenly  Father.  Death 
is  terrible  only  to  the  sinner  whose  soul  is  heavy  with 
transgressions,  and  will  appear  in  shame  and  nakedness 
before  the  throne  of  the  Almighty  Judge.  The  gates  of 
Heaven  are  closed  to  such  a  soul  until  it  hath  redeemed 
its  faults  by  grievous  torments.  But  you  are  young  and 
pure  and  innocent,  and  have  faith  in  God.  You  have 
nothing  to  fear  in  the  future  life  on  the  threshold  of 
which  you  will  meet  your  beloved  father.  You  need  but 
pray  with  faith  and  assiduity,  and  God  will  do  all  for 
your  happiness  and  benefit." 

At  that  moment  the  door  was  slightly  opened,  and  the 
gaoler's. voice  was  heard: 

' '  The  time  is  passing,  my  good  ladies ! ' ' 

"In  a  moment,  dear  Robert.  They  are  going,"  Hus 
said,  rising. 

Turning  to  Anna,  he  placed  his  hands  upon  her  head. 

"Farewell,  my  child !  I  thank  thee  for  thine  affection, 
which  hath  been  a  most  sweet  consolation  to  me.  Stand 
firm  in  life  and  be  a  loving  sister  to  Rugena." 

He  bent  over  her,  blessed  her,  and  kissed  her  on  the 
forehead ;  and  then  turned  to  the  Countess  with  tears  in 
his  eyes.  Her  heart  was  filled  with  anguish  at  this  final 
parting.  The  thought  that  this  was  the  last  time  she 
would  meet  his  pure  and  loving  glance  and  hear  the  voice 
of  the  friend  she  so  deeply  reverenced,  who  ever  since  her 
childhood  had  sustained  and  guided  her  in  the  difficult 
moments  of  her  life,  was  intolerable  to  her.  She  felt  as 
though  she  were  losing  her  father  for  the  second  time. 
314 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

She  sobbed  convulsively  and  throwing  her  arms  round 
him  leant  her  golden  head  upon  his  shoulder. 

His  heart  beat  painfully.  He  too  was  tormented  at 
thought  of  parting  with  the  one  woman  who  had  inspired 
him  with  a  feeling  which,  though  pure  and  disinterested, 
had  reminded  him,  nevertheless,  that  he  was  a  man.  At 
that  moment  there  awoke  within  him  the  great  Force  of 
life,  which  controls  the  world  and  the  human  beings  who 
dwell  upon  it,  and  a  faint  flush  dawned  in  his  pale  cheeks. 
His  glance  rested  lovingly  upon  Rugena.  He  pressed  her 
impulsively  to  his  breast,  and  raising  her  drooping  head 
gazed  at  her  long  and  earnestly  as  though  seeking  to  im- 
print her  features  upon  his  memory  for  all  eternity. 

But  his  iron  will  speedily  triumphed  over  this  momen- 
tary feeling.  With  trembling  lips  he  touched  Rugena 's 
forehead;  then,  falling  back  a  step,  raised  his  hand  as 
though  to  bless  her. 

"Now  go,  my  children.  May  God  bless,  strengthen, 
and  direct  you ! ' ' 

Anna,  who  was  herself  pale  and  tottering,  took 
Rugena 's  arm  and  led  her  from  the  cell.  Svietomir,  dis- 
quieted by  their  long  absence,  met  them  in  the  corridor, 
fortunately  just  in  time  to  support  Rugena,  who  lost 
consciousness. 

When  the  litter  had  set  out  towards  home,  Anna  bent 
over  Rugena,  who  still  lay  motionless. 

"Happy  girl!"  she  whispered,  scarcely  audibly,  with 
trembling  lips.  "God  hath  created  thee  to  be  beloved  of 
all.  Even  in  his  heart  thou  art  first ! ' ' 

315 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Hus,  left  alone,  sank  onto  the  bench  and  covered  his 
face  with  his  hands.  The  agitation  he  had  undergone 
still  had  strong  hold  of  him. 

"Homo  sum/'  he  murmured,  half  in  anguish,  half  in 
rapture. 

Was  this  his  final  test  in  life  ?  he  asked  himself,  involun- 
tarily; or  was  it  God's  mercy  which  had  sent  him  this 
dying  woman  cut  off  by  a  criminal  hand  in  the  flower  of 
her  youth  and  beauty?  The  spirit  which  Anna  and 
Rugena  had  brought  with  them  into  the  prison  was  in- 
deed a  Heavenly  blessing,  and  the  knowledge  that  such 
loving  hearts  would  lament  him  was  a  potent  consolation. 
His  feeling  for  Rugena  had  not  a  trace  of  egotism  in  it, 
and  was  imbued  with  desire  for  her  welfare.  God  as- 
suredly would  pardon  him. 

Little  by  little  peace  was  restored  to  his  tortured  soul. 
It  seemed  to  him  that  the  last  ties  which  bound  him  to 
earth  had  been  broken ;  that  he  was  freed  from  the  flesh 
and  was  being  borne  aloft  into  the  bright  domains  of  the 
other  world. 

Suddenly  he  remembered  the  wonderful  vision  he  had 
had  on  the  eve  of  Rugena 's  wedding,  and  its  meaning  be- 
came completely  clear  to  him.  The  furious  crowd  swarm- 
ing in  the  abyss  and  casting  stones  and  filth  at  him  were 
his  enemies  assembled  in  the  Council.  The  fiery  cloud 
which  had  enveloped  him  was  the  burning  stake  to  which 
jto-morrow,  perhaps,  his  body  would  be  bound.  Yes,  now 
everything  was  at  last  clear :  he  was  to  seal  with  his  blood 
the  truths  which  he  had  propagated.  It  remained  for 
316 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OP    BOHEMIA 

him  but  to  beseech  God  to  sustain  him  in  the  torments  to 
come. 

He  fell  on  his  knees  and  sunk  into  fervent  prayer,  pass- 
ing imperceptibly  into  ecstasy.  In  fervor  his  soul  was 
uplifted  above  this  earthly  vale  to  those  far-off  regions 
where  harmony  reigns  eternal,  there  to  be  immersed  in 
the  very  source  of  the  inexhaustible  mercy  of  God. 

But  such  bold  flights  to  the  Heavenly  Father  are  ex- 
hausting to  the  soul  of  man,  still  burdened  by  the  coarse 
trappings  of  the  flesh ;  and  the  spirit  falls  from  the  starry 
heights  prostrated  by  the  transcendant  effort.  Hus,  on 
returning  to  earth,  felt  how,  little  by  little,  the  radiant 
brightness  of  that  other  world  was  fading,  while  the  walls 
of  his  prison  uprose  menacing  as  before.  Only  that  tran- 
quillity was  preserved  which  had  filled  his  being. 

He  sighed  deeply,  wearied  with  excess  of  light ;  and,  the 
lamp  being  by  that  time  extinguished,  groped  through  the 
darkness  to  his  bed.  As  he  did  so,  his  attention  was  at- 
tracted by  a  slight  crackling  sound  and  a  few  steps  before 
him  there  appeared  a  pale  cloud  dotted  with  sparks  of 
fire  which,  revolving,  grew  and  spread,  filling  the  cell 
with  a  brilliant  bluish  light,  and  wafting  to  him  a  breath 
of  pure,  mild  air.  Against  this  bright  background  the 
tall  figure  of  a  man  became  by  degrees  defined,  clad  in 
Byzantine  priestly  vestments,  holding  in  his  hand  the 
Gospel  and  a  cross. 

The  face  of  the  unknown  was  majestic  and  austere ;  but 
his  eyes  were  mild  and  tender.  His  figure  seemed  filled 
with  life  and  vigor.  Awed  and  absorbed,  still  exalted 

317 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

by  his  ecstasy,  and  but  half  realizing  the  presence  of  his 
visitor,  Hus  gravely  whispered : 

"Who  art  thou,  Reverend  Father?" 

As  though  from  afar,  a  deep  voice  answered  him. 

"I  am  he  who  was  the  first  to  spread  the  divine  light  of 
the  Gospel  in  thy  Fatherland,  and  whose  dust  now  lies  in 
Velegrad.  Each  son  of  that  land — my  spiritual  daugh- 
ter— is  dear  to  my  heart.  To  thee,  about  to  die  for  the 
truth,  and  for  God's  Word,  I  have  come  to  say:  Be 
steadfast,  and  fear  neither  earthly  sorrows  nor  bodily 
torments.  Thy  passage  to  the  new  life  will  be  agonizing 
but  short;  and  then  will  come  the  sweetness  of  reward. 
My  presence  and  my  prayers  will  sustain  thee. ' ' 

The  vision  grew  paler,  began  to  fade,  and  at  length 
completely  disappeared.  But  Hus  was  unconscious  that 
the  light  had  died  away,  and  that  darkness  reigned  once 
more.  He  had  fallen  face-downwards  to  the  earth,  pray- 
ing and  thanking  God  and  the  Apostle  of  his  Fatherland 
for  the  revelation  vouchsafed  to  him. 

Neither  fear  nor  confusion  was  in  his  soul.  He  felt 
courageous,  armed  with  fortitude  to  bear  his  last,  great 
trial.  , 


318 


VII 

ON  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the  6th  of  July,  a  crowd  had 
assembled  round  the  Constance  Cathedral.  On  that  day 
sentence  was  to  be  passed  on  Hus.  The  occasion  was  one 
of  extraordinary  solemnity,  and  a  mass  of  idlers  had 
gathered  together. 

Their  expectations  were  not  disappointed.  The  Bish- 
ops and  even  the  simpler  prelates  arriving  at  the  Cathe- 
dral were  sumptuously  attired.  They  were  followed  by 
Cardinals  clad  in  purple,  mounted  on  horses  with  costly 
trappings,  and  surrounded  by  knights,  pages,  and  their 
priestly  suites.  Then  came  the  Ambassadors  from  vari- 
ous nations,  Princes,  Dukes,  and  reigning  Sovereigns,  and 
lastly  Sigismund  himself,  escorted  by  the  highest  officials 
of  the  Empire. 

Solemnity  reigned,  too,  in  the  interior  of  the  Cathedral. 
Upon  an  elevated  throne  sat  Sigismund,  in  the  imperial 
mantle,  while  grouped  around  him  stood  the  Kurfurst 
Ludwig  of  Bavaria,  holding  the  orb ;  Frederick,  Margrave 
of  Niirnberg,  scepter  in  hand;  Duke  Henry  of  Bavaria 
in  his  crown,  and  a  Hungarian  magnate  with  a  sword. 

A  crowd  of  prelates,  knights,  and  dignitaries  in  mag- 
nificent and  brightly  colored  clothing  formed  a  brilliant 
setting  to  the  group  around  the  throne. 

In  the  middle  of  the  Cathedral  a  wooden  platform  was 

319 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

erected,  and  a  complete  set  of  priestly  vestments  was 
fastened  to  a  pole  upon  it. 

During  the  service  the  guard  which  had  conveyed  Hus 
from  his  prison  detained  him  at  the  entrance,  so  that  the 
presence  of  the  " pernicious"  heretic  might  not  sully  the 
sacred  proceedings,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  the  Bishop 
of  Lodi  mounted  the  pulpit.  Then  the  prisoner  was 
brought  in  and  stationed  near  the  platform.  He  fell 
upon  his  knees  and  prayed  silently  during  the  whole  ser- 
mon, which  was  based  upon  the  words,  "Cast  off  thy 
sinful  body,"  and  which  was  distinguished  throughout 
by  extraordinary  cruelty.  The  orator  called  upon  the 
Emperor  to  fulfil  his  word,  and  mercilessly  to  exterminate 
all  heresies  and  heretics.  After  this  eminently  Christian 
address  the  Bishop  read  aloud  the  resolutions  of  the. 
Council,  convoked  and  inspired  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  ex- 
horting all  those  present,  under  threat  of  curse  or  im- 
prisonment, not  to  break  the  silence  by  any  expression 
of  feeling,  such  as  applause,  or  by  any  movement  what- 
soever of  their  bodies. 

Then  Henry  de  Piro,  Procurator  of  the  Council,  arose 
and  demanded  the  condemnation  of  Hus  and  of  his  writ- 
ings. 

The  unhappy  prisoner  was  then  made  to  mount  the 
platform,  and  stood  in  the  sight  of  all.  The  reading  of 
the  indictment,  the  contents  of  incriminating  works  of 
Wycliffe  and  other  passages  taken  from  the  works  of  Hus, 
and  the  declarations  of  the  witnesses  began,  and  the  ridic- 
ulous accusation  that  Hus  had  represented  himself  to  be 
320 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  third  person  of  the  Blessed  Trinity  was  not  for- 
gotten. 

The  unhappy  man,  hearing  this  tissue  of  lies,  perverted 
interpretations,  and  slanders  inspired  by  hatred,  was 
driven  to  despair,  and  tried  to  protest  and  justify  him- 
self. But  Cardinal  Zabarella  cut  him  short  and  severely 
ordered  him  to  be  silent.  Then  Hus  fell  on  his  knees  and 
began  to  pray  aloud  for  his  enemies,  committing  his  fate 
to  his  Heavenly  Judge ;  but  this  only  provoked  laughter 
and  derision  among  his  hearers. 

When  the  reading  of  the  lengthy  accusation  was  at  last 
concluded  the  Bishop  appointed  to  conduct  the  ceremony 
of  the  unfrocking  of  Hus  called  upon  him  to  renounce  his 
teachings.  To  this  the  latter  answered  firmly  though 
mildly  that  he  was  always  ready  to  renounce  errors 
proved  to  be  contrary  to  the  Gospel,  and  therefore  had 
accounted  himself  innocent  of  heresy  and  had  voluntarily 
presented  himself  before  the  Council  believing  in  the 
Emperor's  promise  to  protect  him. 

As  he  spoke  he  directed  a  reproachful  glance  at  Sigis- 
mund,  and  traditions  say  that  the  Emperor  dropped  his 
eyes,  while  a  flush  of  shame  dyed  his  cheeks. 

Several  German  authors  declare  this  tradition  to  be 
false,  and  we  are  willing  to  defer  to  their  opinion.  For 
Sigismund  was  not  a  man  to  blush  for  his  perfidy,  espe- 
cially towards  a  poor  and  humble  priest,  who,  neverthe- 
less, had  dared  to  say  that  "if  a  king  falls  into  mortal  sin 
he  is  not  a  true  ruler  in  the  sight  of  God."  And  the 
general  conviction  of  Sigismund 's  contemporaries  that  he 

321 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

had  poisoned  his  brother  John  Gerlitzky  shows  of  what 
he  was  considered  capable. 

In  any  case,  if  his  conscience  were  at  all  able  to  move 
him  it  was  not  strong  enough  to  awaken  feelings  of  jus- 
tice and  humanity  within  his  heart.  He  sat  silent  through 
the  proclamation  of  the  shamefully  and  iniquitous  sen- 
tence condemning  Hus  to  be  "deconsecrated"  and  burnt 
at  the  stake. 

The  painful  ceremony  of  deconsecration  was  carried 
out  without  delay.  The  Bishops  clothed  Hus  in  the 
priestly  vestments  and  placed  the  chalice  in  his  hands,  as 
though  he  were  about  to  say  mass.  Then,  for  the  last 
time,  they  called  upon  him  to  recant;  and  the  unhappy 
man  answered  with  tears  in  his  eyes  that  his  conscience 
forbade  him  to  appear  as  a  liar  before  the  throne  of 
God. 

After  this  the  chalice  was  snatched  from  his  hands,  and 
the  vestments  were  taken  from  him,  to  the  accompaniment 
of  words  of  execration.  At  length  the  point  of  shaving 
him  was  reached,  and  the  Bishops  disputed  among  them- 
selves as  to  whether  his  hair  should  be  cut  with  razors 
or  scissors.  Hus  turned  once  more  to  the  Emperor : 

"Reconcile  them,  Emperor,"  he  said,  smiling.  "They 
cannot  agree  how  best  to  accomplish  my  dishonor." 

At  length  they  decided  to  resort  to  the  scissors,  and 
afterwards  they  placed  a  paper  cap  upon  his  head, 
adorned  with  painted  devils  and  an  inscription  in  big 
letters:  "  Hceresiarcha." 

"The  Lord  for  me  did  wear  the  crown  of  thorns,  and 
322 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

joyfully  of  my  love  for  Him  will  I  now  wear  this  cap  of 
shame, ' '  was  his  mild  answer  to  this  mockery. 

The  ceremony  concluded  with  the  words  of  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Milan : 

' '  Henceforth  the  Church  hath  nothing  in  common  with 
thee.  She  doth  commit  thy  body  to  the  worldly  powers, 
and  thy  soul — to  the  Devil!" 

According  to  the  Swabian  statutes  heretics  were  handed 
over  to  the  civic  authorities,  so  that  the  Bishops  thus  ad- 
dressed themselves  to  the  Emperor : 

"The  Holy  Council  of  Constance  doth  consign  the  de- 
consecrated priest,  John  Hus,  to  the  civic  powers,  he  being 
excluded  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Church. ' ' 

The  Emperor  handed  him  over  to  Ludwig,  Kurfurst  of 
Bavaria,  with  the  words: 

"Most  benevolent  Duke!  Take  this  man,  and  in  my 
name  commit  him  to  the  death  befitting  a  heretic." 

Ludwig  in  his  turn  delivered  him  to  his  executioners 
with  the  following  words  : 

"Take  Master  John  Hus,  who,  by  the  decision  of  our 
Most  Gracious  Emperor  and  King  of  Rome,  and  by  my 
own  order,  is  condemned  to  death  by  burning. ' ' 

With  bound  hands,  between  four  of  his  guards,  escorted 
by  a  company  of  eight  hundred  men-at-arms,  and  fol- 
lowed by  an  immense  crowd,  Hus  set  out  for  the  place  of 
execution. 

His  emaciated  face  was  pale  but  tranquil.  His  eyes, 
full  of  faith,  were  raised  to  Heaven.  He  continued  to 
pray  aloud,  and  the  people,  moved  by  his  strength  of 

323 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

soul  and  piety,  loudly  expressed  their  sympathy  with  him. 

"We  know  not  his  fault;  but  he  doth  pray  like  a  true 
man  of  God,"  they  said. 

When  Hus  passed  the  Bishop's  palace  and  beheld  the 
flames  that  were  devouring  his  works  he  only  smiled.  He 
knew  that  no  fire  could  destroy  the  truth  he  had  pro- 
claimed in  them. 

The  field  between  the  village  of  Gottlieben  and  the 
gardens  of  the  palace  had  been  selected  as  the  place  of 
execution.  Perceiving  the  stake  already  erected,  Hus 
stopped  for  a  moment.  Did  his  frail  body  shudder  at 
thought  of  the  torment  and  death  awaiting  him?  His 
temptation  lasted  but  for  an  instant.  His  heroic  spirit 
triumphed  once  again,  and  falling  upon  his  knees  he 
raised  his  clasped  hands  to  Heaven,  and  murmured  full 
of  emotion: 

"Christ  Jesus,  my  Divine  Master!  For  the  sake  of 
Thy  Holy  Gospel,  and  that  truth  which  I  have  propa- 
gated, I  accept  this  agony  with  joy  and  resignation. 
Leave  me  not  in  this  great  hour.  Sustain  me  to  the  end. ' ' 

Anna  and  Svietomir  had  been  present  in  the  Cathedral 
during  his  condemnation.  The  latter  knew  beforehand 
what  was  to  take  place  upon  that  day,  and  had  told  Anna 
about  it ;  and  they  had  decided  to  be  present.  They  said 
nothing  to  Rugena,  who  had  been  particularly  ill  during 
the  last  few  days.  They  had  not  even  told  her  that  the 
fate  of  her  beloved  friend  and  confessor  was  irrevocably 
sealed. 
324 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OP    BOHEMIA 

In  indignant  agitation  Svietomir  followed  all  the  de- 
tails of  the  hideous  farce.  Absorbed  in  what  was  passing 
before  his  eyes  he  forgot  the  presence  of  his  companion, 
when,  glancing  upon  one  occasion  towards  her,  he  started, 
so  stern,  so  terrible  was  the  expression  upon  the  young 
girl's  face. 

The  blood  seemed  completely  to  have  deserted  her  face, 
which  was  as  pale  as  a  waxen  mask.  Only  her  eyes  looked 
living,  and  from  time  to  time  were  filled  with  an  expres- 
sion of  despair,  or  glowed  with  unutterable  scorn  and 
hatred,  as  when  they  were  directed  towards  the  priests 
who  were  disputing  as  to  the  manner  of  cutting  the  pris- 
oner's hair.  At  that  moment  Anna  strikingly  resembled 
her  brother  John :  there  was  the  same  austere  glance,  the 
same  cold  cruelty  in  the  expression  of  the  mouth.  In 
spite  of  her  intense  excitement  she  did  not  shed  a  single 
tear,  and  when  Hus,  delivered  to  his  excutioners,  left  the 
Cathedral,  she  muttered  to  Svietomir : 

"Let  us  follow  him  to  the  end." 

"Were  it  not  better  to  return  home,  Anna?  The  sight 
will  be  too  fearful  for  thee, ' '  he  said,  feelingly,  bending 
towards  her. 

"If  he  can  bear  it,  can  I  not  at  least  behold  it  and  pray 
God  to  support  the  guiltless  sufferer?"  she  answered 
firmly. 

Svietomir  made  no  reply,  and  drawing  her  arm  with- 
in his  own,  joined  the  crowd  which  followed  the  con- 
demned. 

325 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Slowly  and  with  many  halts  the  seething  mass  of  people 
moved  along  the  winding  streets  of  the  city,  and  when 
they  reached  the  place  of  execution  they  dispersed  into 
a  wide  circle  around  the  stake. 

Svietomir  and  Anna  pressed  forward,  and  the  dense 
rows  of  people  made  way,  almost  with  superstitious  awe 
for  the  woman  in  her  deep  mourning,  with  her  gloomy, 
burning  eyes.  But  before  they  had  succeeded  in  gain- 
ing the  first  row  a  monk  on  horseback  turned  into  the 
crowd  and  began  without  hesitation  to  make  his  way 
straight  through  its  midst;  and  Svietomir,  profiting  by 
this,  drew  Anna  forward  in  the  horse 's  wake. 

In  this  manner  they  reached  the  front  of  the  crowd  and 
stood  not  far  from  Hus.  The  victim  was  at  that  moment 
considering  the  question  of  a  last  confession,  proposed  to 
him  by  the  crowd,  but  hotly  opposed  by  a  priest  in  a  light 
green  mantle,  who  cried : 

"A  heretic  must  neither  confess  himself  nor  let  others 
confess  to  him!" 

Another  priest,  no  less  loudly,  declared  that  if  Hus 
wished  to  confess  he  must  first  recant  his  heresies. 

Hus  answered  in  a  clear,  firm  voice : 

"I  am  guiltless  of  mortal  sin.  And  at  this  moment 
when  I  am  making  ready  to  appear  before  the  throne  of 
God  I  will  not  purchase  redemption  of  my  sins  by  lying 
declarations. ' ' 

Taking  no  further  notice  of  the  priests,  Hus  asked  to 
be  allowed  to  bid  his  gaolers  farewell,  and,  having  ob- 
tained permission,  embraced  them,  and  thanked  them  for 
326 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

their  kindness  to  him.  He  wished  then  to  address  a  few 
words  to  the  people,  but  Palatine  forbade  this,  and  or- 
dered that  the  execution  should  proceed. 

"Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit  and  pardon  mine  ene- 
mies," besought  Hus,  raising  his  eyes  to  Heaven. 

The  paper  cap  fell  from  his  head  to  the  ground,  and 
one  of  the  soldiers  thrust  it  on  again,  crying : 

"Let  it  burn,  and  the  devils  as  well,  whom  thou  hast 
so  diligently  served." 

The  eyes  of  Hus,  wandering  sadly  among  the  crowd 
surrounding  him,  fell  suddenly  upon  Anna  and  Svieto- 
mir;  and  a  joyful  smile  dawned  in  his  face.  He  bent  his 
head  to  them  slightly  in  farewell,  but  turned  away  again 
as  the  executioner  and  his  assistant  began  to  tear  apart 
his  clothing. 

They  bound  his  hands  behind  him  with  a  wet  rope  and 
tied  him  to  the  post,  while  a  chain  smeared  with  soot  was 
placed  round  his  neck.  Fagots  drenched  with  tar,  and 
mixed  with  bundles  of  straw  were  piled  about  him.  He 
stood  calmly  during  these  horrible  preparations.  Never 
perhaps  had  his  heroic  soul  been  firmer,  more  tranquil, 
more  strong  in  faith. 

Turning  aside  from  the  cruel  crowd  which  demanded 
that  he  should  be  placed  with  his  face  to  the  West  as  it 
was  not  fitting  for  a  heretic  to  look  towards  the  East,  he 
fixed  his  eyes  on  Heaven,  and  suddenly  they  began  shin- 
ing with  an  expression  of  ecstatic  bliss. 

Above  the  stake  he  beheld  the  majestic  figure  of  Bo- 
hemia's first  apostle.  His  deep,  stern  eyes  gazed  lovingly 

327 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

at  the  martyr,  and  with  the  cross  in  his  hands  he  pointed 
to  Heaven. 

Absorbed  in  contemplation  of  the  vision,  Hus  did  not 
notice  that  the  pile  of  fagots  had  reached  his  neck.  But 
suddenly  a  voice  recalled  him  from  oblivion. 

It  was  that  of  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Empire,  Count 
Pappenheim,  who  had  come  in  the  name  of  Sigismund  to 
endeavor  for  the  last  time  to  persuade  him  to  save  his  life 
by  recantation. 

"Why  do  you  trouble  the  great  peace  of  my  soul?  I 
have  nothing  to  recant  since  I  have  never  professed  heresy 
or  taught  the  heresies  of  which  they  have  falsely  accused 
me.  Joyfully  do  I  seal  with  my  blood  those  divine  truths 
which  I  have  spread  by  my  lips  and  by  my  writings," 
Hus  answered  gently,  though  with  firmness. 

Trembling  from  head  to  foot,  and  with  wide-open  eyes, 
Anna  watched  the  execution.  At  the  first  crackling  of 
the  flames  she  swayed  and  closed  her  eyes.  Svietomir 
placed  his  arm  around  her  to  support  her,  thinking  that 
she  was  about  to  faint.  But  Anna  drew  herself  erect, 
and  fixed  her  feverishly  burning  eyes  on  the  stake.  At 
that  moment  a  clear  voice  singing  a  prayer  was  heard 
from  amid  the  flames.  This  song,  proclaiming  in  the 
midst  of  fearful  torments  the  triumph  of  spirit  over  flesh, 
produced  an  overwhelming  effect  upon  the  crowd.  It 
etood  petrified  in  dumb  amazement.  The  eyes  of  all  were 
strained  towards  the  column  of  smoke  and  fire  from  which 
no  cry,  no  groan,  no  sound  of  complaint,  nothing  but  that 
melodious  appeal  to  the  Heavenly  Father  could  be  heard. 
328 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Suddenly  the  martyr's  voice  was  silenced — the  smoke 
was  blown  into  his  face.  A  little  while  afterwards  it 
could  be  seen  that  his  lips  were  moving,  and  then  his 
head  dropped  lifelessly. 

Anna  fell  on  her  knees,  covering  her  face  with  her 
hands. 

"Come.  All  is  over,"  Svietomir  whispered,  trying  to 
raise  her. 

But  Anna  of  her  own  accord  rose  and  followed  him  in 
silence  with  bowed  head.  Tears  were  pouring  down  Svie- 
tomir 's  face. 

"A  saving  gust  of  wind  put  an  end  to  his  agony,"  he 
sadly  but  thankfully  explained  as  they  emerged  from  the 
crowd. 

Anna  stopped  and  clasped  his  hand. 

"That  gust  of  wind  in  this  quiet  weather  was  a  mira- 
cle, ' '  she  whispered  with  unsteady  lips.  ' '  Heaven 's  mes- 
senger came  for  the  soul  of  the  innocent  victim  of  this  in- 
famous injustice.  While  Hus  was  singing  I  saw  above 
the  flames  the  figure  of  a  saint  of  God  with  a  cross  in  his 
hand,  and  a  bright,  shining  angel,  who  waved  his  mighty 
wings  and  wafted  the  smoke  into  the  face  of  the  blessed 
martyr,  and  then  received  his  soul." 

Svietomir  trembled  and  crossed  himself,  not  in  the  least 
doubting  the  truth  of  her  vision. 

Rugena,  left  at  home  alone,  Count  Ginek  being  away, 
was  seized  at  this  time  with  an  unaccountable  feeling  of 
alarm,  and  was  unable  to  rest  quietly  in  any  place. 

329 


THE    TORCH-BEAEERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Itka,  the  devoted  nurse,  tried  in  vain  to  divert  her, 
reminded  her  that  Count  Vok  would  soon  be  at  hand,  and 
begged  her  to  go  into  the  garden  and  lie  down  and  rest. 
But  nothing  had  any  effect.  Both  in  the  garden  and  in 
her  bed  the  Countess  felt  uneasy.  Concerning  the  coming 
of  her  husband  she  remarked  shortly  that  it  would  be  a 
long  time  before  they  saw  him,  as  in  his  last  letter  he  had 
complained  of  the  impossibility  of  getting  leave. 

At  length  Rugena  sat  down  near  the  window  and  fell 
into  a  doze,  while  Itka  took  her  place  at  her  feet,  and, 
suppressing  her  tears,  gazed  sadly  at  the  pale,  drawn  face 
of  her  nursling. 

Suddenly  Rugena  sat  straight  up,  gazing  fixedly  into 
the  distance  as  though  she  saw  something  terrible.  Her 
lips  were  half  opened,  and  her  hands  were  stretched  out 
appealingly.  The  old  nurse  gazed  at  her  in  horror. 

"A  stake!  A  stake!  And  Father  John  in  the 
flames ! ' '  cried  the  Countess  wildly,  and  with  her  hands 
clutched  at  her  breast. 

"Thou  dost  dream,  my  darling!  There  is  nothing  in 
the  garden ! ' '  said  Itka,  in  a  quaking  voice. 

' '  Yes,  'tis  he !  I  see  him  burning,  bound  to  a  stake, ' ' 
said  Rugena,  falling  back  senseless  in  her  chair. 

At  that  moment  several  horsemen  in  dusty  cloaks,  their 
horses  exhausted  and  covered  with  foam,  drew  up  before 
the  house.  Vok  had  arrived  with  his  suite.  He  leapt 
from  his  horse  and  began  impatiently  knocking  at  the 
door.  But  he  was  obliged  to  wait  some  time  before  it 
330 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

was  opened,  as  most  of  the  servants  had  gone  to  witness 
the  execution. 

The  young  Count  in  great  vexation  continued  to  knock 
furiously  at  the  door,  until  at  last  it  was  opened  by  an 
ancient  serving-woman,  from  whose  toothless  mumblings 
he  could  only  make  out  that  his  father  was  not  at  home. 
Ordering  that  the  servants  he  had  brought  with  him 
should  be  fed  and  lodged,  he  told  her  to  conduct  him  to 
the  apartments  of  his  wife. 

Rugena  lay  as  though  dead  in  her  armchair,  while  Itka, 
distracted,  was  moistening  her  face  and  hands  with  aro- 
matic vinegar.  The  door  flew  open,  and  Vok  came  in, 
but  stopped  short  like  a  statue  on  the  threshold.  He 
stared  in  dumb  horror  at  his  wife,  and  then,  rushing  to 
her,  fell  on  his  knees  before  her,  pressed  her  wasted,  mo- 
tionless form  to  his  breast,  and  covered  her  face  and 
hands  with  kisses. 

"She  is  dead!  Dead!  I  am  too  late !"  he  cried,  with 
anguish  in  his  voice. 

"No,  no,  my  dear  Lord.  She  hath  but  fainted.  And 
now  that  you  are  come,  with  the  grace  of  God,  all  will  be 
well,"  said  Itka,  soothingly,  kissing  his  hands,  with  tears 
of  joy  in  her  eyes. 

She  related  how  the  fainting  fit  had  been  brought  on 
by  a  terrible  vision.  It  seemed  to  Vok  as  though  a  moun- 
tain had  been  removed  from  his  shoulders;  but  he  was 
nevertheless  greatly  alarmed  at  the  terrible  change  that 
had  taken  place  in  his  wife. 

331 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

When  Rugena  opened  her  eyes  and  recognized  her  hus- 
band bending  over  her,  she  smiled  gladly,  and  blushed. 
But  beholding  her  gay  and  heedless  Vok  with  tears  in  his 
eyes  and  an  expression  of  misery  on  his  face,  she  threw 
her  arms  about  his  neck  and  rested  her  head  against  him. 

"Thou  dost  bewail  our  speedy  parting?"  she  whis- 
pered. "That  means  that  thou  dost  love  me  and  art 
sorry  for  me?" 

"Love  thee?"  Vok  exclaimed,  passionately,  embracing 
her.  ' '  Speak  to  me  not  of  parting !  Thou  shalt  recover. 
I  will  have  it  so!"  . 

But  that  day  had  still  much  suffering  in  store  for  the 
young  Count.  [When  his  father,  Anna,  and  Svietomir 
returned  they  related  to  him  the  details  of  the  scandalous 
trial  of  Hus  and  of  his  terrible  death. 

Bitterly  did  Vok  regret  having  arrived  too  late  to  bid 
farewell  to  the  friend  whom  he  regarded  as  a  saint. 


332 


vni 

A  FEW  days  later,  rumors  suddenly  arose  in  the  town 
that  Jerome  of  Prague,  yielding  to  the  persuasions  of  the 
Cardinals,  had  recanted  the  erroneous  doctrines  he  had 
professed,  and  had  even  signed  an  Act  in  which  he  ac- 
cepted all  the  decisions  of  the  Council  and  made  submis- 
sion to  it.  But,  while  condemning  the  articles  of 
Wycliffe  which  had  been  propagated  by  Hus,  Jerome 
made  several  reservations  which  showed  how  dear  his 
decision  had  cost  him.  Thus,  he  continued  to  maintain 
that  they  had  both  preached  many  divine  truths,  and  that, 
as  to  Hus,  he  had  always  loved  him,  and,  while  recogniz- 
ing his  errors,  still  preserved  the  most  whole-hearted  rev- 
erence for  his  character. 

Notwithstanding  these  reservations,  the  Council  seemed 
entirely  satisfied  with  its  victory  and  the  subjection  of  the 
famous  scholar.  And  after  September  23rd,  when  Je- 
rome, at  a  public  sitting  of  the  Council,  solemnly  repeated 
his  recantation,  and  declared  that  for  the  future  he  would 
never  seek  to  spread  those  erroneous  ideas  which  he  had 
just  denied,  his  position  in  the  prison  was  improved.  The 
watch  kept  over  him  was  less  severe,  and  there  were  even 
rumors  that  he  would  be  restored  to  freedom. 

It  was  an  agonizing  time  for  Jerome.  His  proud  soul 
writhed  and  pined  beneath  the  humiliation  of  the  public 

333 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    B.OHEMIA 

renunciation  of  the  cause  to  which  his  life  had  been  con- 
secrated. His  heart  was  tortured  by  the  delay  and  by  the 
endless  difficulties  to  be  overcome  before  he  could  gain 
those  few  hours  of  freedom  for  which  he  had  paid  so 
dear.  ...  He  was  tormented  by  fear  and  despair  lest  his 
sacrifice  might  prove  to  be  in  vain,  lest  those  blue  eyes, 
in  which  he  had  once  read  such  a  wealth  of  love,  those 
dear  lips  which  had  intoxicated  him  by  their  words,  might 
be  closed  forever  before  he  could  gaze  upon  them  for  the 
last  time,  before  he  could  receive  their  last  farewell. 

Broda  and  Svietomir  visited  him  and  told  him  that 
Rugena  was  sinking  fast,  and  his  misery  had  reached  its 
zenith  when  one  night,  towards  the  end  of  September, 
Svietomir  entered  his  cell  with  the  guard,  carrying  a 
parcel. 

Svietomir  was  pale,  and  evidently  disturbed. 

"I  have  brought  thee  some  clothes,  Master  Jerome. 
Don  them  quickly  and  come  with  me !  This  good  fellow 
gives  thee  leave." 

"Yes.  My  lord  knight  hath  seduced  me  with  a  sum 
that  to  a  poor  fellow  such  as  I,  is  a  property  in  itself! 
But  promise  me,  Master  Jerome,  that  you  will  return. 
For  even  though  there  is  talk  of  your  speedy  deliverance, 
yet  without  your  promise  I  dare  not  let  you  go ;  and  for 
my  weakness  I  may  yet  pay  with  my  life.  Do  not  ruin 
me  and  my  poor  wife,  and  my  six  children." 

' '  Give  me  thy  sword,  Svietomir, ' '  said  Jerome.  * '  Now, 
on  this  sacred  sign  of  our  redemption,"  he  said,  placing 
his  hand  on  the  cross-shaped  handle  of  the  weapon,  "I 
334 


THE    TORCH-BEAREKS    OF    BOHEMIA 

swear  to  return  before  dawn  to  the  prison.    May  God 
visit  me  with  His  wrath  if  I  betray  my  word." 

The  gaoler,  reassured,  helped  him  to  don  the  black 
velvet  suit  and  hooded  cloak  that  covered  him  from  head 
to  foot.  Then  he  let  them  both  out,  saying  that  he  would 
keep  ceaseless  watch  near  the  entry  for  the  return  of  his 
captive. 

Emerging  from  the  prison,  Jerome  took  deep  breaths 
of  the  fresh,  fragrant  night  air.  After  so  many  months 
spent  in  the  dark,  malodorous  prison  his  head  turned 
giddy,  and  he  reeled. 

But  resolutely  overcoming  this  weakness  and  the  pain 
caused  by  the  sores  on  his  legs,  he  stepped  quickly  forward 
with  Svietomir,  and  thanked  him  for  the  service  he  had 
rendered  him. 

"It  was  necessary  to  drag  thee  from  that  den  to-night, 
for  otherwise  thou  wouldst  not  have  beheld  Rugena.  Vok 
says  that  she  desires  to  see  all  her  friends  now,  for  the 
last  time. ' ' 

"What  sayest  thou?  Is  the  Countess  so  much  worse 
already?" 

"Alas!  This  morning  the  doctor  told  Vok  that  she 
would  not  live  through  the  night.  The  unhappy  Count 
roves  hither  and  thither  like  a  madman ;  yet  he  thought  of 
thee,  and  asked  me,  at  any  cost,  to  bring  thee,"  answered 
Svietomir  in  a  low  voice.  Clenching  his  fists  as  he  spoke, 
he  hurled  a  curse  at  Brancaccio,  and  a  wish  that  he  might 
succeed  in  visiting  the  vile  murderer  with  the  same  fate 
that  befell  Ilarius. 

335 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Jerome  had  not  heard  of  the  death  of  Ilarius,  and  Svie- 
tomir  began  with  peculiar  pleasure  to  describe  the  details 
of  the  hanging  of  the  obnoxious  monk. 

That  same  morning,  the  doctor,  Bonelli,  had  considered 
it  his  duty  to  inform  the  Count  that  his  wife  had  only  a 
few  hours  to  live.  Although  the  sad  fact  might  easily 
have  been  foreseen,  the  news  fell  upon  Vok  like  a  bolt 
from  Heaven,  and  he  could  not  control  the  frenzy  of  hia 
grief.  But  it  was  a  passing  weakness,  and  he  quickly 
persuaded  himself  that  it  was  his  duty  not  to  trouble  the 
last  moments  of  his  dying  wife;  but  to  render  them  as 
happy  and  tranquil  as  possible.  He  involuntarily 
thought  of  Jerome,  and  begged  Svietomir  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  his  coming,  no  matter  at  what  cost. 

Then  he  sat  down  by  Rugena's  bed,  resolved  not  to 
leave  her  for  one  moment  till  the  last. 

The  Countess  awoke  after  a  deep  and  heavy  sleep.  She 
was  terribly  weak,  and  this  weakness  was  accompanied  by 
a  strange,  heavy  feeling  which  she  had  not  hitherto  ex- 
perienced. An  icy  stream  flowed  through  her  veins  and 
made  her  shiver.  It  seemed  to  her  that  something  was 
rending  her  very  being  asunder.  At  one  moment  her 
soul  seemed  freed  from  her  body,  and  then  again  a  black 
curtain  dropped  suddenly  before  her  eyes. 

"It  is  the  approach  of  Death!"  she  thought,  with  an- 
guish. 

She  was  about  to  explain  her  feelings  to  Vok,  but  meet- 
ing the  frightened,  despairing  eyes  of  her  husband,  she 
could  not.  bring  herself  to  reveal  the  truth.  She  closed 
336 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

her  eyes  and  began  to  pray,  beseeching  God  to  make  the 
swift  approaching,  terrible  transition  easy  for  her,  call- 
ing with  all  her  soul  upon  her  beloved  father  and  her 
martyred  friend,  'John  Hus,  to  meet  her  upon  the 
threshold  of  the  awful,  unknown  world.  .  .  . 

Her  prayer  restored  her  to  tranquillity,  and  the  rest 
of  the  day  passed  in  peace.  But  when  night  fell,  Rugena 
was  overcome  again  with  ever-increasing  terror,  and  be- 
gan to  toss  about  in  her  bed. 

Anna  and  Vok  gazed  apprehensively  at  the  agonized 
expression  on  the  almost  transparent  face  of  the  sick 
woman,  and  at  the  restless  movements  of  her  hands  be- 
neath the  bed-clothes. 

At  about  half -past  eleven  the  alarming  symptoms  in- 
creased. 

"Lift  me  up !  I  suffocate !"  she  murmured,  trying  to 
rise. 

Anna  brought  Rugena 's  silk  dressing-gown  and  put  it 
round  her.  Vok  lifted  her  in  his  arms  as  though  she  had 
been  a  child,  carried  her  to  an  armchair,  and  arranged 
the  pillows,  while  Itka  wrapped  some  rugs  about  her 
mistress. 

"Art  thou  comfortable  thus,  my  darling?"  said  Vok, 
falling  upon  his  knees  before  his  wife  and  supporting 
her.  Her  head  dropped  helplessly  on  to  his  shoulder. 

"Yes,"  answered  Rugena,  feebly.  "Where  is  Svieto- 
mir?  Why  hath  he  not  come  to-day?  Call  him  .  .  . 
and  call  Broda,  too.  I  want  to  see  them  all  to  say 
good-by." 

337 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"Svietomir  will  be  here  immediately,  and  perhaps  he 
will  bring  with  him  some  one  thou  wilt  be  rejoiced  to  see. 
Go,  dear  Anna,  and  order  that  Broda  should  come  hither 
as  soon  as  Svietomir  and  his  companion  arrive." 

Rugena 's  eyes  brightened  gladly,  and  she  fixed  her 
gaze  upon  the  door.  She  had  not  long  to  wait,  for 
scarcely  ten  minutes  had  passed  when  steps  were  heard 
in  the  adjoining  room,  and  Anna  entered,  followed  by 
Jerome,  Svietomir,  and  Broda. 

Jerome  had  put  the  final  touches  to  his  dress  in 
Broda 's  room,  and  his  pale,  worn  face  bore  an  expres- 
sion of  still  greater  suffering.  On  entering  the  room  he 
stopped  short  in  the  doorway.  He  had  not  imagined  the 
change  in  Rugena  would  be  so  terrible;  and  for  a  mo- 
ment he  could  not  speak.  Quickly  recovering  himself  he 
went  up  to  her,  bent  his  knee  before  her,  and  silently 
pressed  her  thin  white  hand  to  his  lips. 

Rugena,  too,  was  horror-stricken  when  she  looked  at 
him. 

"Dear  God!  How  you  must  have  suffered,  Master 
Jerome!"  she  whispered.  "But  what  can  be  done!  I 
am  very  glad  to  see  you  for  the  last  time." 

Feeling  his  tears  upon  her  hand,  she  gently  withdrew 
it  and  placed  it  tenderly  upon  his  bowed  head. 

"Do  not  weep,  Jerome!     Vok's  grief  and  yours  will 
make  my  death  more  painful  and  deprive  me  of  the 
great  happiness  God  hath  vouchsafed  me  of  gathering 
about  me  all  those  I  love." 
338 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

She  was  too  exhausted  to  say  more,  and  closed  her 
eyes.  Vok  and  Jerome  gave  a  cry  of  alarm.  On  hearing 
it  Rugena,  with  an  effort  of  her  will,  struggled  with  her 
weakness  and  looked  at  them. 

"  It  is  nothing !  A  slight  languor  which  hath  passed, ' ' 
she  whispered,  as  though  excusing  herself.  "Come 
closer  to  me.  Anna,  Svietomir,  Broda,  I  want  to  bid 
you  farewell." 

Supported  by  Vok  and  Jerome  she  embraced  them, 
and  thanked  Broda  for  his  unfailing  and  generous  devo- 
tion to  her. 

Then  she  kissed  Jerome  on  the  forehead,  and  her  long 
farewell  glance  rested  lovingly  upon  him.  Vok  pressed 
her  convulsively  to  his  breast,  and  unable  longer  to  re- 
strain himself  showered  kisses  upon  her  face  and  bathed 
it  with  his  bitter  tears.  Rugena 's  courage  finally  de- 
serted her,  and  with  a  deep  sob  she  sank  as  though  dead 
into  her  husband's  arms. 

The  Count  trembled,  and  in  terror  listened  for  her 
breathing.  But  suddenly  Rugena  drew  herself  together 
and  stood  up.  Her  wide-open  eyes  gazed  into  the  dis- 
tance, bright  with  joy  and  rapture.  Vok  involuntarily 
turned  his  head  in  the  direction  of  her  gaze  and  grew 
petrified  with  amazement. 

At  the  end  of  the  room  in  a  broad  halo  of  dazzling  blue 
light  stood  .  .  .  John  Hus.  He  was  clothed  in  the  same 
manner  as  on  the  day  of  his  death,  but  his  garments  in- 
stead of  being  black  were  of  a  snowy  whiteness  with 

339 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

gleaming  folds.  His  face  of  miraculous  beauty  had 
grown  younger  and  was  full  of  peace,  and  his  deep,  radi- 
ant eyes  gazed  with  infinite  tenderness  upon  Rugena. 

The  apparition,  which  was  real,  though  light  as  haze, 
drew  near  the  dying  girl,  beckoning  to  her  with  its 
hands  and  with  its  smile. 

"Father  'John!  Art  thou  come  for  me?  ...  I  am 
ready!"  .  .  .  whispered  Rugena,  stretching  out  her 
arms  towards  him. 

But  at  that  moment  the  figure  disappeared,  and  Ru- 
gena fell  heavily  to  the  ground.  .  .  . 

For  a  few  seconds  death-like  silence  reigned  in  the 
room.  They  all  had  seen  and  recognized  their  friend, 
who  had  given  them  such  striking  proof  that  earthly  at- 
tachments are  preserved  in  that  "world  to  come." 

But  although  he  had  been  so  sacred  and  dear  to  them, 
the  present  appearance  of  their  mystical  visitor  caused 
something  like  a  panic  among  them. 

Jerome  was  the  first  to  recover  his  self-control.  He 
crossed  himself  and  looked  irresolutely  about  him. 
Anna  was  upon  her  knees,  seemingly  unconscious  of 
everything  around  her.  Her  eyes  were  burning  with  a 
strange,  fanatical  excitement.  Vok  had  sunk  into  the 
armchair  and  was  lying  senseless.  Fear  was  unknown 
to  him  when  the  living  were  in  question,  but  the  vision 
had  unstrung  his  nerves.  Jerome  was  about  to  go  to 
his  assistance  when  Broda  and  Svietomir,  who  had  re- 
covered from  their  stupor  of  amazement,  raised  him  up. 
Then  his  eyes  fell  upon  Rugena.  Convinced  that  she 
340 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

was  'dead,  he  lifted  her  body,  still  warm,  into  his  arms, 
and  pressing  her  to  his  breast  carried  her  reverently  to 
the  bed,  closed  her  eyes,  and  laid  a  coverlet  over  her  feet. 

Bending  above  the  body,  his  eyes  filled  with  tears, 
Jerome  gazed  for  long  upon  the  beautiful  face  which 
wore  an  expression  of  surpassing  joy.  Then  he  fell 
upon  his  knees  and  sank  into  fervent  prayer. 

Vok  was  not  long  insensible.  For  the  first  moment 
shame  at  having  given  way  to  such  womanly  weakness 
overcame  all  other  feelings  in  him.  But  soon  realizing 
his  loss,  his  frightful  nervous  tension  was  broken  by  a 
burst  of  convulsive  sobs. 

Jerome  appeared  outwardly  composed.  Having  ex- 
changed a  few  words  with  Broda  and  Svietomir  about 
the  extraordinary  apparition,  he  began  to  wish  to  return 
to  his  prison,  feeling  the  necessity  for  being  alone. 

"My  good  keeper  will  be  happy  to  see  me  again,  and 
I  wish  to  think  and  pray  in  solitude, ' '  he  said,  in  a  tired 
voice. 

Forbidding  Broda  or  Svietomir  to  accompany  him,  as 
he  was  able  to  find  the  way  himself,  he  asked  them  only 
to  provide  him  with  a  sword. 

He  took  leave  once  more  of  the  dead;  embraced  his 
friends,  and  thanked  them  for  the  priceless  service  they 
had  rendered  him;  and  pressed  the  hand  of  Anna,  who 
stood  apart,  pale,  with  vacant  eyes,  as  though  just 
aroused  from  sleep.  Then,  folding  his  cloak  about  him, 
Jerome  went  out,  followed  by  Broda,  who  accompanied 
him  to  the  door  of  the  house. 

341 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

A  week  later  a  mourning  procession  left  Constance. 
On  a  carriage  drawn  by  two  horses  was  placed  the  mas- 
sive oak  coffin,  containing  Rugena's  body,  which  had 
been  carefully  embalmed  by  the  doctor,  Bonelli.  Be- 
hind it,  on  horseback,  rode  Anna,  Vok,  Broda,  and  Svie- 
tomir,  though  the  latter  was  obliged  to  return  to  the  town 
after  accompanying  them  as  far  as  the  first  halting-place. 

On  account  of  difficulties  of  the  road,  the  procession 
was  obliged  to  proceed  at  a  walking-pace,  so  that  the 
journey  was  very  slowly  accomplished.  The  state  of 
irksome  inactivity  to  which  Vok  was  condemned,  and  the 
constant  sight  of  the  coffin,  lacerated  the  wounds  in  his 
heart,  and  acted  exasperatingly  on  his  nervous,  restless 
nature. 

Worn  out  by  suffering,  he  kept  silence  for  whole  days 
together.  Broda,  who  watched  him,  feared  that  if  that 
state  of  things  continued  he  would  fall  ill  upon  the  road. 

Once,  when  they  had  stopped  for  the  night  at  a  hostel, 
he  tried  to  persuade  the  Count  to  hasten  forward  to 
Prague,  where  he  would  probably  find  important  politi- 
cal events  in  course  of  progress. 

"There  your  brains  and  sword  may  be  necessary,  Lord 
Vok;  while  here  you  can  be  of  no  assistance." 

"That  may  be  true,  Broda.  But  how  can  I  leave  my 
beloved,  before  consigning  her  to  the  grave?"  the  Count 
said  sadly. 

"The  Lady  Rugena  was  an  angel,  or  the  holy  martyr 
would  not  have  descended  from  Heaven  to  fetch  her; 
and  angels  attach  no  value  to  earthly  usages,"  said 
342 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Broda,  in  a  convincing  tone.  ' '  She  sees  your  heart,  and 
how  it  sorrows  for  her.  Confide  her  body's  safe-keep- 
ing to  my  tried  fidelity." 

The  Count's  further  objections  were  also  overcome, 
and  it  was  decided  that  on  the  following  day  Vok,  with 
several  others,  should  ride  forward,  taking  Anna  with 
him  if  she  preferred  it,  and  leaving  Broda  and  the  rest 
of  the  convoy  in  charge  of  the  body.  But  Anna  refused 
to  go  with  the  Count,  preferring  to  remain  near  her 
friend. 

"I  will  stay  with  Rugena!  There  is  nothing  that 
bids  me  hasten  to  Prague,  now  that  it  is  empty  of  all  I 
have  loved;  and  I  should  but  hinder  you,  Count,"  she 
said. 


343 


IX 

VOK  arrived  in  Prague  after  a  hurried  journey,  having 
scarcely  allowed  his  men  and  horses  time  for  rest.  The 
mad  rush,  though  it  exhausted  him,  diverted  his  thoughts 
from  the  sufferings  he  had  undergone,  and  restored  him 
some  measure  of  spiritual  equilibrium.  In  the  endeavor 
to  deaden  the  ceaseless  pain  of  his  bleeding  wounds,  he 
plunged  head  foremost  into  the  seething  vortex  of  politi- 
cal activities  in  which  his  contemporaries  were  at  that 
time  engulfed. 

He  had  arrived  in  the  fatherland  in  the  nick  of  time. 
Never  had  the  minds  of  men  been  more  disturbed,  and 
the  first  mutterings  of  the  national  storm  which  was 
destined  to  break  out  four  years  later  were  already  be- 
ginning to  be  heard. 

The  young  Count,  like  his  father,  became  a  member  of 
the  Union  of  Bohemian  and  Moravian  nobles  which  had 
been  formed  in  September  for  the  defense  of  the  purely 
Hussite  doctrines.  The  first  act  of  this  Union  had  been 
the  despatch  of  a  messenger  to  Constance  with  a  spirited 
protest  against  the  execution  of  Hus,  the  imprisonment 
of  Jerome,  and  the  unjust  calumnies  of  which  their 
Fatherland  had  been  the  subject.  And  further,  under 
the  direction  of  three  chosen  leaders,  Tchenek  of  Warten- 
344 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

berg,  Latzek  of  Kravarzh,  and  Bozhek  of  Podibrag,  the 
Union  of  Bohemian-Moravian  nobility  declared  that  it 
would  give  full  freedom  in  its  domains  for  the  propaga- 
tion of  the  Word  of  God;  confer  upon  the  theological 
faculty  of  Prague  the  right  to  decide  religious  questions 
upon  the  basis  of  the  Gospel ;  and  finally,  that  it  would 
submit  to  the  decrees  of  none  but  the  national  Bishops, 
setting  at  nought  all  excommunications  and  prohibitions 
of  the  foreign  priesthood. 

This  was  a  clear  declaration  of  war  against  the  Roman 
Church,  and  laid  the  first  foundations  of  the  National 
Church.  The  patriotic  movement  declared  itself.  The 
upholders  of  Hus  and  the  chalice  became  a  stronger  and 
more  dangerous  party,  for  this  time  the  peasants  sided 
with  the  nobility  against  the  King  and  Catholicism,  the 
narrow  intolerance  and  cruelty  of  which  continued  still 
further  to  inflame  the  minds  of  the  people. 

And  in  Constance  in  the  mean  time  was  being  pre- 
sented the  final  act  of  that  sinister  tragedy  played  by 
Catholicism  before  the  eyes  of  the  whole  world,  and  en- 
titled the  trial  of  Hus  and  of  Jerome  of  Prague. 

The  most  far-seeing  and  diplomatic  of  the  Cardinals, 
those  of  Florence  and  Cambrai,  together  with  Cardinal 
Ursino,  were  for  the  liberation  of  Jerome.  In  their 
opinion,  if  he  could  be  got  to  submit  to  the  Council,  both 
justice  and  caution  dictated  that  an  end  should  be  put 
to  the  persecutions  which  were  only  driving  the  whole  of 
Bohemia  into  rebellion.  Paleck  and  Michael  de  Causis, 

345 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

full  of  spite  and  thirst  for  vengeance,  were  against  this 
wise  proposal.  They  summoned  monks  from  Prague, 
new  and  lying  witnesses  against  Jerome,  and  dared  to 
invoke  in  their  support  the  voice  of  a  fanatic  as  narrow 
and  fierce  as  Doctor  Naso,  who  did  not  hesitate  in  face 
of  the  whole  Council  to  accuse  the  Cardinals  who  advo- 
cated the  acquittal  of  Jerome  of  having  been  bought  by 
the  King  of  Bohemia  and  his  subjects — heretics  like  him- 
self. 

The  offended  Cardinals  immediately  announced  their 
resignation  from  the  investigating  committee,  and  the 
Council  appointed  new  judges  for  Jerome,  among  whom 
were  two  pronounced  enemies  of  Hus  and  Jerome — John 
Rokka  and  the  Patriarch  of  Constantinople. 

On  the  day  after  this  sitting,  which  showed  clearly 
what  fate  was  in  store  for  the  prisoner,  Svietomir  had  an 
interview  with  him,  and,  full  of  indignation,  told  him 
what  had  occurred. 

'Jerome  listened  calmly,  almost  smiling. 

"Know  that  the  worthy  Naso  hath  rendered  me  a 
service,"  he  said,  cheerfully.  "He  hath  given  me  the 
possibility  to  withdraw  my  recantation  and  to  proclaim 
aloud  my  unalterable  convictions." 

To  Svietomir 's  arguments  he  answered  firmly: 

"I  wish  for  death,  which  alone  will  redeem  my  weak- 
ness and  free  me  from  the  shame  which  my  denial  of 
the  truth  and  of  my  holy  friend  and  teacher,  John,  hath 
covered  me." 

On  the  strength  of  this  resolution,  Jerome  refused  to 
346 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

answer  his  new  judges,  and  demanded  a  public  hearing. 
His  demand  was  granted,  and  on  the  23rd  of  May,  1416, 
exactly  a  year  after  his  arrest,  he  appeared  before  the 
Council. 

This  controversy,  which  continued  throughout  two 
sittings — those  of  May  23rd  and  26th — resulted  in  an  un- 
doubted victory  for  Jerome. 

To  the  one  hundred  and  seven  accusations  brought 
against  him  he  answered  with  a  presence  of  mind  and  a 
sustained  power  of  reasoning  that  demolished  the  false 
and  treacherous  snares  of  his  enemies,  and  laid  bare  the 
real  cause  of  the  hatred  with  which  they  pursued  him. 

His  hearers  were  confounded  and  powerless  to  under- 
stand how,  after  a  whole  year's  suffering  and  depriva- 
tion in  a  dark  hole,  he  was  still  able  to  speak  and  defend 
himself,  with  as  much  ready  wit  and  freedom  of  expres- 
sion as  if  he  had  devoted  his  whole  time  to  the  study  of 
his  case  and  stood  now  in  the  pulpit  instead  of  in  the 
dock. 

Never,  perhaps,  had  Jerome  proved  himself  a  more 
brilliant  orator  than  on  that  famous  occasion.  Armed 
with  his  scientific  erudition,  his  enthralling  eloquence, 
the  compelling  force  of  his  genius,  and  his  dazzling  per- 
sonality, he  defended  his  case,  knowing  well  that  it  was 
lost  and  that  his  life  was  forfeit. 

His  hearers,  though  inimical  to  him,  were  fascinated, 
conquered,  and  nearly  ready  to  acquit  him.  But  Jerome, 
it  appeared,  was  by  no  means  desirous  of  such  a  victory, 
for  he  passed  from  his  defense  of  himself  to  the  extol- 

347 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

merit  of  Hus,  who,  like  the  prophet  Elijah,  had  ascended 
in  a  fiery  chariot  before  the  awful  tribunal  of  God  to 
appeal  against  his  persecutors  and  his  unjust  judges. 

His  words  provoked  an  uproar  in  the  Council.  Some 
shouted  and  reviled  him,  while  those  who  were  well- 
wishers  tried  in  vain  to  check  this  outburst  of  loyalty. 

But  Jerome  was  not  dismayed. 

"Do  you  think  that  I  fear  death?"  he  said,  disdain- 
fully; "even  a  death  as  terrible  as  that  prepared  for  me 
by  mine  enemies  and  those  false  witnesses  who  will  an- 
swer to  God  for  their  perjury?  Have  you  not  treated 
me  with  barbarity  unpardonable  in  Christians?  Have 
I  not  rotted  alive  in  prison  a  whole  year?  I  have  not 
complained,  deeming  complaint  beneath  my  dignity. 
But  I  have  no  desire  to  buy  my  life  with  lies,  and  here  I 
declare  that  of  all  the  sins  I  have  committed,  the  great- 
est and  most  unpardonable  was  my  base  recantation,  my 
(shameful  weakness  in  denying  the  teaching  of  that  saint, 
my  former  friend  and  teacher.  You  condemned  Hus 
and  Wycliffe,  not  for  having  undermined  the  teaching  of 
the  Gospel,  as  you  pretended ;  but  exposing  the  presump- 
tion, the  venality,  and  the  viciousness  of  the  priesthood. 
These  accusations  were  not  disproved,  and  I  too  main- 
tain them  as  did  they." 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  scene  that  followed. 
A  witness  of  the  event,  Poggio,  an  Italian,  writes  in  his 
memoirs:  "Jerome  stood,  calm  and  pale  amid  the  hur- 
ricane, proud  and  unwavering.  It  was  clear  he  cared 
not  for  death,  and  even  welcomed  it.  Though  repeat- 
348 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

edly  interrupted  by  the  attacks  hurled  upon  him  from 
all  sides,  he  answered  each,  causing  some  to  blush,  and 
others  to  hold  their  peace ! ' ' 

Followed  by  cries  of  "he  hath  condemned  himself," 
Jerome  was  led  back  to  his  prison  and  cast  into  chains. 

Five  days  later,  on  the  30th  of  May,  after  another  vain 
attempt  to  force  him  to  a  recantation,  he  was  condemned 
to  death  at  the  stake. 


349 


THREE  years  had  passed  since  the  death  of  Jerome. 

The  night  of  the  28th  of  July  descended  upon  Prague. 
The  town  was  silent;  everything  seemed  asleep.  The 
streets  were  empty,  and  not  a  light  was  to  be  seen  in  any 
window. 

Yet  the  sleeping  town  did  not  produce  an  impression 
of  peace  and  repose.  The  City  Guard  passed  more  fre- 
quently than  usual,  and  scarcely  had  they  departed  when 
shadows  glided  from  dark  corners,  crept  along  by  walls, 
and  disappeared  into  houses  where  they  were  evidently 
awaited,  for  doors  were  opened  at  given  signals  and 
closed  immediately  behind  them. 

The  same  movement  was  to  be  observed  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  Waldsteins'  house.  That  huge  building, 
too,  seemed  wrapped  in  slumber,  yet  people  hidden  in 
cloaks  were  to  be  seen,  creeping  stealthily  down  the  nar- 
row dark  alley  which  ran  along  one  side  of  it,  and  dis- 
appearing into  the  house,  after  knocking  three  times  at 
the  little  door  in  the  wall. 

It  was  the  same  door  through  which  Tullia  had  en- 
tered to  warn  the  family  of  the  Cardinal's  contemplated 
attempt  upon  Rugena.  And  it  was  Broda,  too,  who  now 
opened  the  door  to  admit  and  direct  those  who  arrived. 
But  instead  of  ascending  the  staircase  to  the  apartments 
350 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

of  the  family,  these  nocturnal  visitors  traversed  a  long 
corridor,  and  descended  into  the  cellar  by  the  stone  flight 
at  the  end  of  it. 

By  the  light  of  three  candles  which  stood  upon  a  table 
in  the  center  it  could  be  seen  that  several  people  were 
assembled  in  the  low-vaulted  chamber,  around  the  walls 
of  which  barrels  and  vats  were  ranged.  The  guests  were 
sitting  on  wooden  benches  at  a  long  oak  table  which 
ordinarily  served  the  butler  for  the  pouring  of  wine  into 
bottles  or  jugs.  Broda,  after  carefully  bolting  the  mas- 
sive door  above,  entered  last,  and  sat  down  at  the  end  of 
the  table. 

Count  Ginek  was  sitting  at  the  middle  of  the  table, 
while  on  both  sides  of  him  were  Nicholas  Hus,  John  Zizka, 
Milota  Nakhodsky,  the  priest  John  Zelivo,  three  other 
gentlemen,  and  a  townsman,  with  a  clever,  swarthy  face. 

Vok  was  standing  opposite  his  father,  speaking  with 
great  warmth. 

The  young  Count  had  grown  much  thinner.  His  big 
black  eyes  had  lost  their  expression  of  gaiety  and  daring, 
and  his  mouth  its  scornful  smile.  He  looked  courageous, 
as  before,  but  gloomy,  and  even  stern. 

"The  news  I  bring  you  augurs  nothing  good,  and 
seems  to  me  to  call  for  immediate  action.  The  King  is  so 
incensed  against  us  that  we  may  expect  none  but  the 
harshest  measures  from  him,"  he  said,  with  a  note  of 
derision  in  his  voice.  ' '  You  know  that  we  are  beset  with 
spies  who  penetrate  into  our  meetings,  observe  our  ac- 
tions, and  give  detailed,  though  not  always  accurate,  ac- 

351 


THE    TORCH-BEAKERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

counts  to  the  King  of  all  that  passes.  Venceslas  of  late 
hath  been  so  timid,  so  excited  and  suspicious,  that  it  was 
painful  to  be  near  him.  His  wrath  hath  been  aroused  by 
one  who  informed  him  that  we  purpose  to  deprive  him 
of  his  throne  and  to  set  upon  it  Lord  Nicholas,  or  thee, 
Zizka.  For  thou  too,  it  would  appear,  art  thirsting  to 
adorn  thyself  with  Bohemia's  crown." 

A  sly  smile  appeared  upon  the  clever,  expressive  face 
of  Nicholas  Hus. 

"Terror  and  an  unclean  conscience — 'tis  they  originate 
such  scares!"  he  said. 

Growing  more  heated,  he  continued : 

"Woe  to  the  land  that  hath  a  foreign  ruler!  In  the 
depths  of  his  heart  he  will  always  incline  to  the  race 
which  gave  him  birth  and  bear  a  half -conscious  inimical 
dislike  to  the  people  whose  crown  he  bears.  Venceslas — 
a  German  of  Luxemberg — is  a  clear  proof  of  my  words. 
Though  he  is  not  in  reality  an  evil  man  and  can  at  times 
be  just,  yet  he  is  a  stranger  to  the  Bohemian  people,  to 
their  glory,  and  to  their  interests.  He  is  ever  entangled 
with  Sigismund,  and  his  Teuton  blood  doth  draw  him  to 
the  Germans  who  infest  our  fatherland  like  locusts.  He 
knows  that  the  Catholic  priests  are  servants  of  the  Ro- 
mish Antichrist,  and  the  most  hopeful  support  of  the  Ger- 
man robbers  whom  they  brought  hither,  and  who  would 
harness  us  like  oxen  or  slaves  to  their  triumphal  chariot. 
And  what  then?  Venceslas  doth  still  protect  those 
scurvy  priests,  and  deny  his  favor  to  such  men  as  Nich- 
olas." 
352 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Zizka's  solitary  eyes  shone  wrathfully  as  he  clenched 
his  fists.  John  of  Zelivo  grew  livid. 

"Down  with  the  German  yoke  and  the  traitor  Ven- 
ceslas,  who  knows  his  guilt  towards  us,  and  therefore 
fears  us !  He  hath  summoned  Sigismund  with  his  horde 
of  barbarians  to  help  destroy  us,"  he  cried  in  a  voice 
hoarse  with  indignation. 

"Calm  yourself!  What  you  say  is  very  true.  Ven- 
ceslas  hath  no  fatherly  feelings  towards  us,  and  cannot 
have  them.  He  is  against  us  as  he  was  against  the  Poles, 
with  the  Lithuanians  and  the  Teuton  Order,  and  will  al- 
ways sacrifice  a  hundred  Bohemians  to  one  German.  Yet 
we  must  not  act  against  him,  for  Sigismund  is  a  thousand 
times  worse,  and  the  people  are  attached  to  the  old  King 
for  the  crumbs  of  justice  he  hath  thrown  them,  and  the 
affection  he  doth  outwardly  profess,"  said  Nicholas  Hus, 
calmly.  "He  must  not  be  deprived  of  the  throne;  but 
we  must  force  him  to  change  his  policy,  and  remove  the 
Catholics  from  his  Council  and  replace  them  by  men  de- 
voted to  our  sacred  cause.  And  we  can  accomplish  much, 
for  the  whole  peasant  kingdom  is  behind  us!  But  in 
order  to  hinder  the  King's  intentions  we  must  know  them ; 
therefore  continue  your  work,  Sir  Count,  and  let  us  know 
all  you  may  learn." 

"They  are  watchful  of  me  in  Kunratitz,  and  the  King 
in  his  present  mood  doth  trust  nobody,  even  our  gracious 
Queen ;  therefore  'tis  not  easy  to  gain  much  information, ' ' 
Vok  began.  ' '  But  I  have  learnt  from  trusty  sources  that 
Venceslas  recently  received  a  letter  from  his  brother,  and 

353 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

communed  long  with  his  Councilor  Jan  La/an;  after 
which  he  decided  to  reform  the  Town  Councils  of  the  Old 
and  Small  Towns  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  the  New 
Town.  That  is  to  say,  by  replacing  our  people  by  those 
'mahometans.' ' 

"I  can  give  some  explanations  of  that  which  the 
Count  hath  told  us, ' '  remarked  the  townsman,  who  up  to 
that  time  had  been  silent.  ' '  One  of  my  friends  is  writer 
to  Lazan,  and  he  told  me  that  the  reform  of  the  Town 
Council  was  in  truth  being  prepared,  and  that  most  stern 
measures  would  be  adopted  against  us.  Yesterday  the 
pupils  were  driven  from  a  Hussite  school  that  is  given 
over  to  the  Catholics.  We  are  to  be  forbidden  public 
processions — and  even  religious  gatherings ;  and  the  Ger- 
mans .  .  ." 

"What?  Forbidden  processions?  Let  them  but  try 
it,  and  they  will  bitterly  repent  it !  I  have  arranged  a 
procession  for  next  Sunday,  and  it  shall  take  place,  I 
swear  to  you!"  cried  John  of  Zelivo,  unable  to  restrain 
his  wrath. 

"Gently,  gently,  Father  John!  Be  assured  that  your 
procession  shall  take  place;  but  let  Peter  Kuss  tell  us 
what  he  knoweth  of  the  Germans,"  Count  Ginek  said 
impatiently. 

"I  know  that  Leinhardt  hath  called  upon  his  friends 
to  provoke  a  collision  on  Sunday,"  said  Kuss,  a  rich 
butcher,  devoted  to  the  Hussite  cause.  "The  German 
townsmen  have  already  held  a  meeting,  and  the  butchers 
354 


THE    TORCH-BEAEEES    OF    BOHEMIA 

and  pastry-cooks  have  agreed  to  cause  disorders,  and  that 
old  dog  Kuntz  hath  formed  relations  with  Judge  Nik- 
lashek,  who,  like  a  true  Catholic,  will  hear  of  nothing  be- 
yond his  Eome,  and  doth  encourage  the  Bohemian  trai- 
tors in  the  Council  to  denounce  us.  Sunday  will  be  a 
stormy  day,  and  I  wanted  to  acquaint  you  of  it. ' ' 

" Thank  you  for  your  valuable  information,"  said 
Zizka.  "We  will  prepare,  and  the  conspirators  shall  not 
take  us  unawares!  I  propose,  my  brothers,  that  all  of 
us  shall  be  armed,  and  ready  for  self-defense.  And  to 
show  that  our  enemies  are  not  so  terrible,  we  will  go  to 
the  Town  Hall  and  request  the  Councilors  to  free  those 
unhappy  men  they  arrested  a  few  days  since,  pretending 
that  they  had  provoked  disorders." 

" Yes,  yes!  A  good  thought,  John !"  said  Vok.  "My 
poor  old  Matthias  is  among  the  prisoners,  and  I  would 
gladly  free  my  dead  wife 's  faithful  servant,  who  was  only 
taken  for  protecting  one  of  ours  from  the  minions  of  the 
Cathedral." 

"We  will  free  him!  And  now,  my  friends,  let  us  de- 
cide upon  the  necessary  measures.  We  have  much  work 
before  us,  and  only  to-morrow  remains, ' '  said  Zizka,  who 
thirsted  for  action. 

They  all  turned  to  him  and  the  discussion  was  contin- 
ued in  lowered  tones. 

When  the  leaders  of  the  Hussite  movement  separated 
an  hour  later  they  had  worked  out  a  detailed  plan  of  ac- 
tion. 

355 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Sunday,  the  30th  of  July,  dawned  bright  and  warm. 
Long  before  the  hour  of  mass  worshipers  were  hurrying 
towards  the  Church  of  Mary  the  Snow-white  Virgin, 
which  was  reserved  for  the  ultraists  by  order  of  the 
King.  An  observer  might  have  been  surprised  at  the 
small  number  of  women  in  the  crowd,  and  at  the  gloomy, 
preoccupied  faces  of  the  townsmen  and  shopkeepers. 
They  all  were  armed;  some  with  swords  and  daggers, 
some  with  javelins  and  pikes,  and  others  simply  with 
sticks. 

The  church  was  soon  packed  to  overflowing,  and  the 
crowd  kept  increasing  till  it  filled  the  porch,  the  street, 
and  even  the  adjacent  lane. 

At  the  end  of  the  service  John  of  Zelivo  mounted  the 
pulpit  and  began  his  customary  vehement  address. 

To-day  he  was  more  than  usually  excited.  His  thun- 
derlike  voice  reached  the  street  through  the  wide-open 
doors,  and  every  word  penetrated  to  the  hearts  of  his 
listeners.  He  spoke  of  the  misery  of  the  times  in  which 
they  lived,  and  of  the  persecutions  to  which  true  servants 
of  Christ  were  submitted. 

It  is  difficult  to  describe  the  impression  produced  by  his 
passionate  words  upon  the  excited  and  fanatical  crowd 
which  filled  the  church.  He  was  gifted  with  the  power  of 
moving  masses  by  his  thrilling  and  enlightened  eloquence, 
and  inspiring  them  to  action. 

So  far  everything  was  outwardly  tranquil,  though  faces 
were  heated  and  impetuous  hands  clutched  their  weapons ; 
but  lips  were  singing  hymns,  and  the  procession  moved 
356 


THE     TOUCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

off  headed  by  John,  who  walked  before  it  in  his  vest- 
ments, holding  the  chalice  in  his  hands. 

The  human  river  flowed  slowly  through  the  streets  of 
the  New  Town,  but,  on  reaching  the  Church  of  St. 
Stephen,  suddenly  halted.  The  church  gates  were  closed 
by  order  of  the  priests,  who  desired  thus  to  demonstrate 
their  displeasure  of  the  Hussites. 

The  moment  for  such  a  challenge  was  badly  chosen. 
At  first  a  low  murmur  was  heard  among  the  people,  a 
murmur  which  gradually  rose  to  a  roar.  The  crowd 
pressed  forward,  and  in  a  moment  the  heavy  gates  were 
broken  in. 

Had  the  prior  fallen  into  their  hands  he  would  cer- 
tainly have  been  killed ;  but,  fortunately  for  him,  he  had 
hidden  himself,  and  the  crowd,  pleased  with  its  first  suc- 
cess, passed  on. 

Vencelstein  Castle,  the  new  royal  residence,  had  been 
recently  built  near  the  village  of  Kunratitz  by  Venceslas. 

The  King  was  sitting  by  a  window  with  several  court- 
iers about  him,  listening  to  the  reading  of  a  book  of  hunt- 
ing stories.  But  he  paid  small  attention  to  the  reading. 
His  eyes  roved  here  and  there  with  an  absent  and  dissat- 
isfied expression.  At  one  moment  he  opened  them  wide 
and  gazed  before  him  vacantly,  at  another  he  screwed 
them  together,  contracting  his  bushy  eyebrows  in  a  pecul- 
iar manner.  His  fingers  played  nervously  with  the 
handle  of  the  stiletto  which  hung  from  his  waistbelt. 

Venceslas  was  by  now  nearing  sixty. 

His  face  had  grown  flabby,  and  his  complexion  was  of 

357 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

a  purplish  tinge.  His  lower  lip  hung  down  and  his  eyes, 
with  their  yellowish  whites,  were  inflamed  and  dim  as 
though  with  age.  They  grew  bloodshot  at  the  least  ex- 
citement. An  expression  of  vindictive  mockery  was  seen 
in  every  feature  of  his  face. 

The  King's  character  had  changed  not  less  than  his 
appearance.  His  good-humor,  which  at  times  had  been 
mixed  with  a  certain  merry  slyness,  his  love  of  truth,  his 
joviality,  his  looseness  of  speech,  and  his  liking  for  ribald 
anecdotes,  had  changed  into  a  morose  suspiciousness 
which,  thanks  to  his  excitable  temper,  frequently  led  to 
fits  of  ungovernable  fury. 

Nobody  was  free  from  his  suspicion ;  not  even  his  pious 
and  gentle  wife,  whom  he  rudely  accused  of  heresy  and 
of  acting  hand  in  hand  with  his  enemies.  Queen  Sophia 
endured  her  husband's  outbursts  uncomplainingly.  She 
suffered  in  silence,  and  in  prayer  alone  sought  strength  to 
bear  her  bitter  fate.  This  very  morning  a  painful  scene 
had  taken  place,  the  more  painful  for  having  been  wit- 
nessed by  several  courtiers. 

Sophia  retired,  deeply  mortified,  to  her  apartments, 
and  restraining  her  tears  endeavored  to  divert  her 
thoughts  by  working  upon  an  embroidered  altar-cloth  for 
the  chapel  of  the  castle. 

A  young  maid,  the  niece  of  Lord  Wartenberg,  was 
with  her;  but  seeing  that  the  Queen  was  disturbed  she 
dared  not  break  the  silence,  and  looked  instead  from  the 
window  at  what  was  taking  place  below  in  the  courtyard. 

"Your  Majesty!"  she  suddenly  exclaimed,  "Count 
358 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Waldstein  hath  arrived.  Methinks  he  came  in  great 
haste,  for  he  is  gray  with  dust,  and  his  horse  covered 
with  foam. ' ' 

The  Queen  raised  her  head,  and  glanced  at  the  young 
girl.  A  sad  smile  played  upon  her  lips. 

"Oh,  Gracious  Lord!  Hath  something  occurred  in 
Prague  ? ' '  she  murmured.  ' '  The  King  will  be  distraught 
again.  He  is  already  indisposed,  and  the  doctor  hath 
forbidden  all  excitement  to  him." 

After  a  moment's  thought  Sophia  rose,  and  lifting  the 
train  of  her  long  velvet  dress,  hurried  to  the  King's 
apartments.  Mary  followed  her  like  a  shadow. 

Without  entering  the  room  in  which  the  King  was  sit- 
ting she  stood  listening  behind  the  lowered  hangings  of 
the  door.  The  reading  had  been  interrupted  by  the  en- 
trance of  a  page,  who  reported  that  Count  Waldstein  was 
below  and  begged  immediate  admission  to  the  sovereign. 

* '  Let  him  enter, ' '  Venceslas  commanded.  ' '  Though  he 
is  no  longer  the  old  Vok,  yet  he  may  bring  us  some  diver- 
sion, and  may  dispel  this  mortal  tedium." 

Shortly  afterwards  young  Waldstein  entered;  but  at 
sight  of  his  dusty  clothing  and  gloomy,  abstracted  face 
the  King  frowned. 

"Thou  hast  a  dismal  face,  my  friend.  And  methinks 
thou  wilt  anger  instead  of  enliven  me.  Yet  let  me 
quickly  hear  thy  woeful  news.  By  thine  aspect  I  judge 
that  thou  hast  made  great  haste  to  bring  it  to  me." 

"Sire,  thou  speakest  truly.    My  news  is  very  sad." 

* '  Ha,  ha,  ha ! "  laughed  the  King,  mirthlessly.  ' '  Have 

359 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

the  people  of  Prague  made  Nicholas  Hus  king  in  my 
place?" 

His  sunken  eyes  gleamed  angrily. 

' '  Your  Majesty  doth  deign  to  jest !  Such  an  idea  could 
sprout  but  in  the  brain  of  a  too  zealous  informer.  In 
any  case  not  I  would  bring  such  news  to  you, ' '  said  Vok, 
slightly  frowning. 

"Excellent!  I  am  beset  with  proofs  of  the  loyalty  of 
all  about  me.  But  inasmuch  as  I  am  still  King  I  order 
thee  tell  me  in  what  manner  my  loyal  subjects  of  Prague 
have  acted,  to  express  their  devotion,"  Venceslas  growled 
angrily. 

Respectfully,  but  without  admitting  or  softening  any 
details,  Vok  described  the  terrible  happenings  of  the  30th 
of  July,  and  as  he  proceeded  the  King's  face  became 
more  and  more  purple.  The  courtiers  who  were  present 
grew  petrified  with  terror  and  amazement. 

"Ah,  Scoundrels!  Traitors!"  he  roared  savagely, 
clenching  his  fists.  ' '  They  dared  to  disobey  me  and  slay 
the  Councilors  by  me  appointed?  Well,  this  time  the 
accursed  rebels  shall  pay  dear  for  their  audacity.  I  will 
teach  them  to  defy  my  orders!  I  know  the  vile  insti- 
gators of  these  riots  and  murders:  Yakubek,  John  of 
Jesenice,  Nicholas  Hus,  John  of  Zelivo,  and  the  other 
scurvy  dogs !  My  patience  is  at  an  end  at  last.  I  will 
exterminate  the  brood  of  heretics.  I  will  have  them 
hanged,  broken  on  the  wheel,  impaled.  ..." 

His  voice  was  choked,  and  he  could  not  proceed. 
360 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Vok  flushed  at  the  King's  last  words,  and  the  wrath  of 
Venceslas  was  suddenly  turned  upon  him. 

"Thou  too  art  of  that  band  and  thy  father !  You  both 
were  given  body  and  soul  to  that  profligate  blasphemer 
Hus,  thanks  to  whom  all  these  miseries  have  fallen  on 
Bohemia.  You  always  sacrificed  my  peace  and  interests 
to  him  and  to  Jerome,  that  vicious  babbler ! ' ' 

Vok  drew  himself  up  and  looked  darkly  at  the  King. 

"Sire!  I  am  a  Bohemian,  and  ready  to  defend  the 
sacred  memory  of  my  country's  most  illustrious  sons 
with  my  blood.  'Tis  not  the  pure  and  exalted  teaching 
of  Hus,  not  the  devotion  of  his  followers  to  the  Gospel 
truths,  that  have  caused  the  misery  and  degradation  of 
Bohemia!  Foreigners,  and  a  dissolute  priesthood  who 
were  checked  in  their  vices,  now  seek  to  revenge  them- 
selves by  sowing  strife  in  the  country  and  inciting 
brother  against  brother.  These  are  the  real  malefactors. 
But  all  that  has  happened  could  have  been  foreseen. 
And  you,  Your  Majesty,  yourself  have  lit  the  torch  of 
rebellion,  by  forcing  rulers  upon  the  people  who  were  in- 
imical to  their  faith  and  who  now  have  given  rise  to  the 
storm  of  universal  indignation.  ..." 

He  had  not  time  to  finish,  for  Venceslas,  who  had  been 
listening  to  him  in  petrified  amazement,  suddenly  flung 
himself  upon  him  with  a  yell. 

"Traitor!  Rebel!  Dost  thou  still  dare  insult  me  to 
my  face  ? "  he  hissed,  half  stifled  with  fury. 

He  seized  Vok,  by  whom  the  attack  was  totally  un- 

361 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

expected,  by  the  throat  and  flung  him  to  the  ground. 
Exclamations  of  horror  rose  from  the  bewildered  court- 
iers, and  the  pale  Queen  sprang  out  from  her  place  of 
hiding,  with  a  shriek. 

"Separate  them!"  she  cried. 

The  courtiers  bent  over  the  King,  who  at  that  moment 
was  feeling  for  his  stiletto  to  plunge  into  the  half-suffo- 
cated and  unconscious  Vok. 

The  King  wrenched  himself  from  their  restraining 
hands  with  a  savage  bellow.  But  suddenly  his  face  grew 
livid,  and  twitched  convulsively ;  and  in  a  fit  of  apoplexy 
he  rolled  over  and  lay  like  a  corpse. 

He  was  carefully  upraised  and  borne  away,  and  while 
the  doctors,  summoned  to  his  bedside,  busied  themselves 
around  him,  the  Queen  went  into  the  room  to  which  the 
young  Count  had  been  carried,  and  where  he  had  re- 
gained his  senses. 

Vok  was  standing  near  the  window,  deadly  pale,  and 
evidently  preparing  to  depart,  as  he  had  put  on  his  cloak 
and  hat,  and  was  drawing  on  his  gloves.  He  had  waved 
aside  the  glass  of  wine  which  one  of  the  courtiers  was 
offering  him. 

On  seeing  the  Queen,  Vok  bared  his  head  and  bowed 
respectfully. 

"Leave  us,"  the  Queen  ordered  the  courtier. 

As  soon  as  they  were  alone  she  approached  the  Count, 
and  stretching  out  her  hand  to  him  said : 

"You  are  departing,   Count?    Have  you  recovered 
sufficiently  to  mount  your  horse?" 
362 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Vok  bent  one  knee  and  kissed  her  hand. 

"I  thank  you,  Your  Majesty,  for  your  gracious  solici- 
tude. But  I  am  quite  recovered,  and  would  beg  your 
permission  to  return  to  Prague." 

"However  I  may  regret  your  departure,  I  would  not 
detain  you.  I  wish  but  to  tell  you  that  I  am  deeply 
grieved  at  what  hath  happened.  But  the  King  lost  all 
self-control.  He  hath  been  ill  of  late,  and  therefore  fret- 
ful. To-day 's  excitement  may  cost  him  his  life. ' ' 

She  stopped  and  wiped  away  a  tear. 

Sophia  of  Bavaria  was  beloved  by  the  Bohemians.  Her 
constant  intercession  on  their  behalf,  her  attachment  to 
Hus  and  to  the  national  cause  had  won  her  such  popu- 
larity that  Vok's  anger  half  melted  at  sight  of  her 
tears. 

"God  forbid  that  Your  Majesty's  forebodings  be  justi- 
fied ! "  he  said  hastily,  to  soothe  her.  * '  The  King,  I  hope, 
will  recover,  and  I  shall  never  forget  that  he  signed  the 
momentous  decree  of  the  18th  of  January,  1409.  There- 
fore I  nourish  no  resentment  against  him  for  the  insult 
he  inflicted  upon  me.  But  as  a  loyal  subject  of  Your 
Majesty  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  warn  you  that  events  in 
Prague  demand  the  greatest  circumspection  from  the 
King,  if  His  Majesty  desires  not  to  raise  a  tempest." 

"Alas,  I  fear  me  he  may  take  stern  measures,  and  I 
myself  am  powerless  now.  For  thanks  to  his  morbid 
suspiciousness  he  trusts  not  even  me." 

"Confer  with  His  Majesty's  counselors.  Perhaps  His 
Majesty  will  follow  their  advice." 

363 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  will  endeavor  to  do  so!  But  tell  me,  Count,  how 
did  the  disorder  end?  The  King's  mad  outburst  cut 
short  your  story." 

"It  is  not  mere  disorder,  Your  Majesty.  It  is  more 
like  an  insurrection !  The  power  granted  to  the  Catholics 
and  their  provoking  actions,  which  stopped  not  even  be- 
fore the  desecration  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  have  roused 
the  people.  And  they  are  resolved  henceforth  to  defend 
their  faith  and  liberties  with  weapons  in  their  hands.  As 
I  quitted  the  city  the  Town  Hall  was  occupied  by  a  de- 
tachment of  the  insurgents.  Four  leaders  were  elected, 
and  they  had  formed  a  provisional  government,  while  all 
citizens,  under  penalty  of  death  or  banishment,  were 
called  to  arms.  You  understand  that  the  leaders  of  the 
movement  would  not  dare  to  adopt  such  measures  had 
they  not  found  support  in  other  towns,  as  well  as  among 
the  peasantry  of  all  the  realm. ' ' 

The  Queen  turned  pale. 

"I  understand  the  danger,  and  will  follow  your  coun- 
sel !  Farewell,  Count,  and  forget  not  that  whatever  hap- 
pens you  will  find  in  me  a  friend." 

The  afflicted  Queen  went  with  drooping  head  to  the 
apartments  of  her  husband,  while  Vok  mounted  his  horse 
and  set  out  for  Prague. 

His  head  was  bowed,  and  therefore  he  did  not  see  the 
pale,  agitated  little  face  of  the  young  maid  at  the  win- 
dow of  the  Queen's  room.  Her  sad  eyes  followed  him, 
filled  with  tears. 

Thanks  to  timely  aid  Venceslas  recovered  conscious- 
364 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

ness,  and,  apart  from  a  slight  paralysis  of  his  left  side, 
seemed  restored. 

But  his  state  of  mind  was  terrible.  He  trusted  no  one 
who  approached  him,  and  saw  in  every  one  a  traitor  or  a 
rebel.  He  was  the  prey  alternately  of  fits  of  mournful 
anguish  and  despair  and  outbursts  of  wrath  and  fear. 

The  Queen  relied  on  Sigismund  alone,  and  sent  a  mes- 
senger begging  for  his  assistance,  forgetting  that  the 
King  had  no  more  bitter  enemy  than  his  brother. 

By  this  time  the  counselors  of  the  King,  at  the 
Queen's  solicitations,  had  entered  into  negotiations  with 
the  people  of  Prague,  who  had  agreed  to  make  submission 
and  sue  for  pardon  on  condition  that  they  should  be  al- 
lowed to  install  Town  Councilors  chosen  by  the  people. 
This  request  was  granted,  and  the  King  confirmed  the 
new  appointments.  The  new  Burgomaster  proved  to  be 
Peter  Kuss,  the  butcher,  and  his  election  was  obnoxious 
to  the  King,  who  did  not  like  him. 

On  the  morning  of  Thursday,  17th  of  August,  Anna  of 
Trocnov  was  sitting  by  herself,  sewing  some  childish  gar- 
ments, and  murmuring  the  words  of  the  penitential 
psalm.  She  was  disturbed  suddenly  by  a  heavy  knock 
upon  the  door  which  caused  it  to  open,  and  she  turned  in 
displeasure.  Seeing,  however,  that  the  new-comer  was 
her  friend,  who,  pale  and  agitated,  hastened  towards  her, 
she  asked  anxiously : 

"Hath  anything  occurred?" 

"Yes,  something  most  serious.  The  King  is  dead," 
answered  Marga,  sinking  into  an  armchair. 

365 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OP    BOHEMIA 

Anna  piously  crossed  herself. 

"May  God  have  mercy  upon  him,  and  rest  his  soul, 
and  pardon  him  his  many  sins !  "When  did  he  die,  and 
who  told  thee  of  it?" 

"Count  Vok.  He  is  below  with  Milota,  describing  the 
King's  death  in  full  detail.  Thou  knowest  that  a  few 
days  since  the  Queen  did  summon  him  to  Kunratitz  for 
that  the  King  had  suddenly  restored  him  again  to  his 
favor  and  demanded  insistently  that  he  should  be 
brought.  When  the  Count  reached  the  castle  he  learnt 
that  the  King's  health  had  grown  worse  and  worse  since 
he  was  forced  to  confirm  the  appointment  of  Kuss,  the 
butcher,  which  threw  him  into  a  fit  of  fury.  He  suffered 
from  constant  vomiting,  and  a  pain  in  his  left  arm.  But 
nevertheless  on  the  morning  of  the  15th  he  felt  better,  so 
that  the  Queen  ordered  that  communion  should  be  admin- 
istered to  him.  Count  Vok  arrived  just  before  the  cere- 
mony, and  the  King  said  a  few  gracious  words  to  him. 
Then  he  piously  confessed,  but  could  not  take  commu- 
nion, for  the  vomiting  came  on  again;  and  yesterday 
morning  he  had  a  second  stroke.  The  Count  was  with 
him  to  the  end,  and  is  still  disturbed  by  the  remembrance 
of  the  horrors  of  the  King 's  last  moments.  He  shrieked 
so  wildly  that  the  sound  was  heard  several  rooms  off; 
and  his  last  breath  was  a  cry  of  anguish.  Count  Vok 
went  immediately  to  inform  his  father,  and  then  came  on 
to  tell  us.  But  it  seemed  the  sad  tidings  had  already 
spread  through  the  town,  for  the  Count  saw  many  people 
366 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

in  the  street,  and  a  crowd  hath  gathered  in  the  square. 
Come  and  see. ' ' 

When  they  entered  the  room  from  which  they  had 
watched  the  Councilors  being  flung  from  the  Town  Hall 
a  fortnight  before,  they  found  Vok  and  Milota  standing 
at  the  open  window. 

"The  day  will  not  pass  without  disturbances,"  the 
Count  was  saying  at  that  moment. 

And  certainly  the  aspect  of  the  great  square  was  far 
from  reassuring.  Armed  citizens  were  running  towards 
it  from  all  directions,  and  the  remainder  of  the  people, 
among  whom  were  many  women  and  children,  had  gath- 
ered in  groups  and  were  talking  excitedly  and  waving 
their  arms.  The  crowd  was  greatly  excited:  many  of 
its  members  shook  their  fists  theateningly  in  the  air, 
while  the  sound  of  a  thousand  voices  was  mingled  in 
one  terrible  roar. 

Various  ragamuffins  not  seen  at  ordinary  times  had 
appeared  like  birds  of  ill-omen  among  the  people,  and 
were  making  speeches.  The  name  of  Venceslas,  and  ter- 
rible threats  against  the  Catholic  priesthood,  reached  the 
ears  of  the  listeners  at  the  window  of  Milota 's  house. 

"I  must  go  and  see  what  is  happening  there,  and  talk 
with  John  and  the  Burgomaster,"  said  Waldstein,  tak- 
ing up  his  hat.  "Wilt  thou  come  too,  Milota?" 

"If  you  are  going  to  John,  then  take  me  with  you. 
For  I  must  see  my  aunt,  who  is  ailing." 

"Of  what  art  thou  thinking,  Anna?  How  canst  thou 

367 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

run  about  the  town  in  these  unrestful  times?    Thine 
aunt  will  not  die  if  thou  delay  thy  visit  to  her." 

"Who  can  answer  for  to-morrow's  being  more  tran- 
quil ?  And  I  cannot  leave  my  aunt  alone  to-day,  for  she 
is  terribly  afraid  when  there  are  disorders  in  the  town. 
And  I  fear  nothing,  especially  under  such  protection. 
The  streets  are  full  of  women,  as  you  see,  and  I  am  well 
known  among  our  people,  so  that  they  will  not  touch  me. 
As  for  the  Catholics,"  and  there  was  a  note  of  scorn  in 
her  voice,  "they  will  have  no  time  to-day  for  me." 

Paying  no  attention  to  Marga's  persuasions  and  en- 
treaties, Anna  ran  for  her  cloak,  and  left  the  house  with 
Vok  and  Milota,  who  had  only  laughed  and  shrugged 
their  shoulders  at  her  request.  For  it  was  well  known 
that  Anna  was  no  less  obstinate  than  her  brother  John. 

In  the  mean  time  the  crowd  had  gathered  once  more  in 
front  of  the  Town  Hall. 

As  they  pushed  their  way  through  the  people  Anna 
and  her  companions  heard  many  ugly  stories  as  to  the 
King's  death,  and  many  expressions  of  hatred  towards 
the  papists. 

In  one  of  the  neighboring  streets  their  way  was  hin- 
dered by  a  crowd  of  people  assembled  in  front  of  a 
church  belonging  to  the  Catholic  priesthood.  There  was 
a  deafening  noise  both  outside  and  within  the  building. 
Cries  and  shrieks  were  heard,  swearing  and  laughter, 
blows  of  hatchets,  and  the  sound  of  doors  being  broken  in. 

"What  is  going  on  here?"  Vok  inquired  of  one  of  the 
citizens. 
368 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"  'Tis  a  vengeance  upon  the  'mahometans'  for  their 
insults.  They  cast  forth  all  the  church  utensils  which 
had  formerly  been  used  by  us,  pretending  that  they 
were  defiled ;  so  now  we  break  and  destroy  everything  of 
theirs.  Happily  the  King — the  chief  support  of  the  Ger- 
mans and  their  scurvy  priests — hath  rendered  his  soul  up 
to  the  devil,  so  we  have  nought  to  fear,"  the  man  said 
gloomily. 

At  that  moment  a  holy  statue  crashed  into  the  porch, 
and  fragments  of  the  organ,  which  had  been  destroyed, 
were  flung  out  through  a  broken  window. 

Vok  and  his  companions  went  on  their  way  with  droop- 
ing heads.  But  the  same  pictures  of  destruction  met 
them  wherever  churches  or  monasteries  were  situated. 

The  great  mass  of  the  people  hurled  themselves  furi- 
ously upon  the  church  buildings  of  the  hated  Catholics, 
destroying  the  altars  and  church  vessels  with  a  ferocity 
hitherto  unknown  in  the  population  of  Prague. 

Their  terrible  wrath  had  broken  loose  at  last,  and  like 
a  hurricane  was  devastating  everything  within  its  path. 

At  one  place  the  crowd  was  so  dense  that  Anna  was 
torn  apart  from  her  companions  and  carried  away  in  the 
opposite  direction.  But  she  was  not  in  the  least  dis- 
mayed. Ever  since  the  meeting  on  Mount  Tabor,  Zizka  's 
sister  had  been  known  and  beloved  by  the  Hussites,  and 
notwithstanding  the  crush  the  people  now  made  way 
wherever  possible  for  the  tall  figure  in  its  perpetual 
mourning.  The  Catholics  on  that  day  had  hidden  them- 
ielves  in  terror,  and 'dared  attack  nobody  openly. 

369 


THE    TORCH-BEAEERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

Making  her  way  thus,  step  by  step,  towards  her 
brother's  house,  Anna  passed  near  the  Church  of  St. 
Stephen,  the  prior  of  which  was  particularly  unpopular 
with  the  Prague  population  on  account  of  his  incredible 
intolerance. 

The  sacking  of  the  church  was  evidently  at  an  end,  for 
the  people,  with  joyful  shouts,  were  pouring  out  of  it, 
and  by  their  audacious  whistling  and  hooting  encourag- 
ing those  who  were  dragging  priestly  vestments  behind 
them,  and  tearing  the  costly  embroidered  brocades  into 
ribbons. 

A  townsman  noticed  Anna  standing  near  the  porch. 

"See  how  we  revenge  ourselves  upon  the  'mahome- 
tans'  for  trampling  upon  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and 
how  we  avenge  the  holy  martyr  of  Constance, ' '  he  cried. 
* '  Dost  thou  think  he  sees  and  approves  us  from  Heaven  ? ' ' 

Anna  shook  her  head. 

"I  think  that  his  angelic  soul  was  incapable  of  ven- 
geance. He  preached  nothing  but  love  and  forgiveness, 
and  certainly  would  not  approve  indecorum  in  any  sacred 
place.  If  you  would  in  truth  establish  the  kingdom  of 
justice  and  virtue,  should  you  not  rather  seek  out  the 
nests  of  corruption  amongst  us  which  befoul  our  town? 
'Tis  they  should  be  destroyed ! ' ' 

Those  who  stood  by  were  silent ;  but  the  townsman  who 
before  had  spoken  cried  out : 

"Why,  as  to  John  Hus  blaming  us — all  that  is  but  the 
foolish  chatter  of  a  woman  who  can  have  no  notions  on 
matters  of  importance.  'Tis  said  in  the  Bible,  'An  eye 
370 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

for  an  eye  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth,'  so  that  we  are  but 
acting  according  to  the  Holy  Book.  And  as  to  the  places 
of  corruption,  where  the  scurvy  priests  drink  and  in- 
dulge themselves  to  the  scandal  of  all  good  Christians, 
thou  hast  spoken  truly,  and  we  will  soon  attend  to  them. 
Ho,  my  brothers!  Now  for  these  hellish  dens!  We 
will  soon  pluck  these  birds  of  paradise!" 

The  crowd  gave  an  approving  roar  in  answer,  and 
rushed  off  on  its  new  errand. 

Anna  huddled  close  against  the  gates  of  a  neighboring 
house  in  order  to  avoid  being  crushed;  and,  when  the 
street  was  empty,  hastened  to  her  brother's  house,  which 
she  reached  without  further  obstacle. 

Disorder  still  reigned  in  the  streets,  and  to  the  sack- 
ing of  churches  was  added  the  destruction  of  houses  of 
pleasure,  upon  which  the  mob  hurled  itself  with  such 
fury  that  they  were  all  laid  waste  to  their  very  founda- 
tions in  the  New  Town  as  well  as  in  the  Old. 

When  night  fell,  the  storm  for  the  most  part  died 
away,  but  passions  once  let  loose  were  not  so  easily  to  be 
appeased. 

Somebody  mentioned  the  Carthusian  monastery  in 
Smikhov  as  a  nest  of  hostile  Germans  which  must  neces- 
sarily be  stamped  out — and  the  words  fell  upon  fruitful 
soil. 

It  was  nearly  ten  o'clock  at  night  when  a  huge  crowd 
besieged  the  abbey.  The  gates  were  thrown  down  in  a 
moment,  and  the  invaders  rushed  into  the  building. 

The  brothers  hid  in  the  refectory,  where  they  were 

371 


THE    TORCH-BEAEERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

discovered  by  the  crowd,  derided  for  their  want  of  cour- 
age, and  terrified  by  hoots  and  threats.  But  notwith- 
standing the  excitement  of  the  crowd  there  were  no  killed 
or  wounded,  and  the  Hussites  confined  themselves  to  the 
destruction  of  books,  food,  stores,  church  vessels,  and 
furniture,  and  to  breaking  into  cellars,  where  they 
smashed  the  barrels  and  poured  the  precious  liquors  on 
to  the  earth. 

This  restraint  was  due  in  part  to  Broda,  who,  though 
he  took  an  active  part  in  the  events  of  the  day,  and  even 
led  the  attack  upon  the  monastery,  had  no  liking  for 
killing  defenseless  people. 

All  the  wrath  and  hatred  of  the  old  warrior  and  his 
comrades  was  directed  against  the  monastery  itself,  and 
only  after  the  monks  had  been  dragged  from  the  refectory 
and  conveyed  under  guard  to  the  town  did  they  finally 
demolish  the  building  and  burn  it  to  the  ground. 

The  massive  and  beautiful  edifice  broke  into  flame  on 
all  sides  at  once,  like  a  gigantic  bonfire,  scattering  clouds 
of  sparks  to  the  winds,  and  startling  the  heavens  with  a 
blood-red  glare. 

And  while  fire  and  devastation  were  crowning  this 
prologue  to  the  Hussite  wars — that  terrible  reckoning  of 
the  Bohemians  with  their  century-long  oppressors — the 
body  of  King  Venceslas  was  being  hastily  embalmed  and 
secretly  conveyed  from  Vencelstein  to  Vyshegrad. 

In  view  of  the  state  of  unrest  prevailing  in  the  town  a 
solemn  royal  burial  could  not  take  place,  and  so  in  the 
Zbraslavsk  monastery  was  quietly  interred  that  monarch 
372 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

around  whose  cradle  so  much  hope,  glory,  and  majesty 
were  arrayed,  and  who,  after  a  reign  of  fifty-six  years, 
died  unhappy  and  abandoned. 

Outraged  Bohemia  was  making  ready  to  arise  under 
her  brilliant  and  unconquerable  leader,  John  Zizka,  the 
first  to  amaze  the  world  by  the  stupendous  spectacle  of 
an  armed  people  defending  its  faith  and  freedom. 

This  war,  one  of  the  most  terrible  that  has  ever 
drenched  the  earth  in  blood,  was  destined  to  bear  the 
name  of  the  meek  and  gentle  martyr  of  Constance,  and 
from  end  to  end  of  his  Fatherland  churches  and  monas- 
teries were  consumed  in  flames  in  atonement  for  his 
agony. 


373 


EPILOGUE 


EPILOGUE 

IT  is  a  wondrous  July  night,  warm  and  fragrant.  Radi- 
ant stars  are  twinkling  against  the  dark  azure  of  the 
skies,  and  the  moon  is  flooding  earth  with  gentle,  dreamy 
light. 

The  river  winds  in  and  out  like  a  broad  ribbon,  flecked 
with  silvery  spangles;  and  along  both  its  banks  lies  a 
great  city,  with  huge  and  stately  churches,  spires,  and 
towers  of  striking  and  fantastic  architecture.  Amid  the 
handsome  modern  edifices,  ancient  buildings  may  be  seen, 
their  walls  blackened  by  age,  majestic  witnesses  of  by- 
gone days,  monuments  of  a  bloody  and  glorious  past, 
wrapped  in  an  atmosphere  of  mystery  and  legend, — in- 
vested, in  a  word,  with  that  magic  fascination  that  only 
the  passing  of  centuries  can  bestow  upon  the  frail  crea- 
tions of  man. 

The  city  of  Prague — Prague  the  Golden  Beauty.  She 
has  grown  and  developed  during  the  centuries  since  Hus 
and  Jerome  lived  and  fought  for  their  country  and  their 
faith.  But  her  soul  is  unchanged.  Within  her,  as  in 
days  of  old,  the  heart  of  the  ancient  Bohemian  land  is 
beating.  Within  her  its  brain  contrives,  its  genius  in- 
spires. 

On  this  sublime  July  night  something  unusual  is 
occurring  in  the  city. 

375 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

In  spite  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  it  teems  with  life. 
Beacons  are  ablaze  on  the  surrounding  heights,  and  even 
in  the  mild,  pellucid  air,  something  mysterious  is  hap- 
pening, something  invisible  to  the  eyes  of  men. 

A  marvelous  being,  of  indefinable  and  misty  form,  is 
hovering  above  the  earth.  The  head  alone  seems  living, 
with  its  large,  deep,  stern  and  passionless  eyes ;  the  head 
of  an  old  man,  judging  by  the  wrinkles  upon  the  brow, 
and  the  lines  of  bitter  disillusionment  about  the  mouth, 
with  its  thin,  compressed  lips :  the  head  of  a  young  man, 
by  the  energy  it  breathes,  the  vigor,  the  consciousness  of 
its  own  might.  The  silvery  whiteness  of  the  hair  and 
beard  mingle  with  the  folds  of  the  garments  which  en- 
velop the  figure  in  a  filmy  haze,  and  stretch  like  a  nebu- 
lous mist  far  behind  it,  encircling  the  horizon  and  melt- 
ing in  infinity. 

Floating  in  air,  the  spirit  reaches  the  bank  of  the  river 
and  stops.  Before  it  stands  the  remnants  of  a  ruined 
wall,  the  hardly  noticeable  relic  of  a  building  which 
stood  there  in  ancient  times. 

A  beautiful  and  stately  woman,  with  dark  hair  and 
large  eyes  shining  with  power  and  genius,  is  sitting 
amid  the  ruin.  She  is  clothed  in  snow-white  garments, 
and  a  golden  circlet  confines  the  transparent  covering  of 
her  head. 

"I  greet  thee,  Time,"  she  says,  raising  her  eyes  to  the 
old  man.    "It  is  long  since  I  beheld  thy  face.    I  have 
but  felt  thee  passing  near  me." 
376 


THE    TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"I  find  thee  still  at  thy  post,  my  poor  Lubusha,"  he 
answers.  "When  at  last  wilt  thou  pass  to  thy  rest?" 

"How  can  I  rest  when  my  beloved  people  still  fight 
and  suffer,  and  their  fierce  and  ancient  enemy,  still  greedy 
and  audacious,  plans  their  destruction  and  rends  their 
bodies  with  its  claws  ? ' ' 

"And  dost  thou  still  weep  and  despair?" 

Lubusha  proudly  raises  her  head. 

"Nay.  I  pray  and  hope,  because  my  people  are  wise 
and  mighty,  patient  and  persistent,  and  forget  not  their 
past  glory." 

She  lifts  her  transparent  hand  and  points  to  the  fires 
upon  the  hilltops. 

"Seest  thou  those  flames?  They  were  lit  by  Bohemi- 
ans faithful  to  the  memory  of  Hus  and  of  Jerome,  in 
honor  of  their  martyrdom.  To-day  is  the  6th  of  July, 
the  anniversary  of  the  infamous  condemnation  of  the 
martyr  of  Constance.  The  love  and  reverence  of  a  mil- 
lion hearts  draw  hither  the  valiant  souls  of  Hus  and  his 
friends.  Behold !  Dost  thou  see  sparks,  the  sheathes  of 
which  fly  forth  from  the  fires  and  are  borne  upon  the 
wind  ?  They  are  the  ashes  of  the  two  champions  come  to 
life!  Those  sparks  are  animated  by  their  thoughts. 
They  soar  and  descend  upon  the  people's  hearts  like  liv- 
ing fire,  and  kindle  them  with  inextinguishable  love  for 
their  country,  and  a  valor  which  makes  them  invincible." 

A  vague  murmur  arises  in  the  distance,  and  grows 
louder  and  louder  until  it  swells  into  the  confused  clamor 

377 


THE    TORCH-BEAEERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

of   an   approaching   multitude.    Innumerable   shadowy 
forms  draw  near. 

An  army  is  approaching.  With  heavy  measured  steps 
it  draws  nearer  and  nearer,  and  the  clank  of  swords  is 
clearly  heard,  the  rattle  of  chains,  the  rumbling  of  wheels, 
and  the  neighing  of  horses.  A  tall  old  man  at  the  head 
of  the  army  carries  a  standard  on  which  a  chalice  of  gold 
gleams  bright.  He  is  followed  by  warriors  armed  with 
spears  and  daggers,  flails  and  clubs,  with  hatchets,  swords, 
and  halberds.  The  majority  are  dressed  in  peasant  garb. 
Their  stern  faces  breathe  such  assurance  in  their  indom- 
itable strength,  such  scorn  of  death,  such  passionate  faith 
in  their  holy  cause,  that  every  obstacle  must  needs  fall 
before  them. 

The  human  avalanche  moves  slowly  but  steadily  for- 
ward, like  an  elemental  force  which  nothing  can  stay,  and 
behind  it  the  heavy  carts  come  rumbling,  girdled  with 
iron  and  hung  with  chains :  the  fearful  moving  fortresses 
of  the  Hussite  armies. 

"Who,  then,  are  these  warriors  who  spring  forth  from 
the  folds  of  my  garments,  where  the  past  of  all  nations  is 
hidden?"  asks  Time. 

"The  fearless  hordes  of  Zizka,  whom  he  led  from  vic- 
tory to  victory,  and  who  caused  their  foes  to  tremble ! ' ' 
Lubusha  answers  proudly.  "The  ancient  Bohemian 
land  comes  back  to  life  upon  this  holy  night.  .  .  .  The 
land  drenched  in  blood,  and  sown  with  the  bones  of 
giants  who  fell  for  their  country  and  the  chalice.  Dost 
thou  hear  their  war-song  ? 
378 


THE     TORCH-BEARERS    OF    BOHEMIA 

"  'Thy  heritage  reject  not, 
Thy  leader's  word  neglect  not, 
Thy  comrades  bold  forsake  not: 
Stand  firm  unto  the  end!'" 

" Whither  go  they?" 

"To  Mount  Blanik,  near  Tabor.  There  Zizka  sleeps 
with  his  chiefs,  waiting  for  the  voice  of  the  people  to 
call  him  forth  to  the  decisive  battle  for  his  country's 
fate.  They  go  to  awaken  him :  '  Rise,  Zizka.  The  time 
is  come!'  The  Hussites  have  not  yet  spoken  their  last 
word!" 

Lubusha  is  silent,  and  with  her  eyes  follows  the  martial 
shadows  which  are  passing.  And  she  listens. 

From  the  distance  come  the  words : 

'To  arms  now,  my  brothers! 
Strike  hard  at  the  foe, 
Shout,  'God  is  our  Father!' 
Spread  havoc  and  woe!" 

Her  form  begins  to  fade  away,  and  melts  into  the  air 
like  a  light  mist  dispersed  by  the  breeze. 


THE   END 


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